Capital Equipment News November 2017

TRANSPORT

The new generation of Hino’s 500 Series trucks, ranging from 16 to 28 t, largely replaces some models in the current 500 Series, representing the first model change in 14 years.

NEW HINO 500 SERIES RANGE

• 1627 4x2 16-t LWB Freight Carrier • 1627 4x2 16-t LWB AT Freight Carrier • 1627 4x2 16-t Super-LWB Freight Carrier • 1627 4x2 16-t Super-LWB AT Freight Carrier • 1627 4x2 16-t Tipper • 2829 6x2 28-t LWB Freight Carrier • 2829 6x2 28-t LWB AT Freight Carrier • 2829 6x2 28-t Super-LWB Freight Carrier • 2829 6x2 28-t Super-LWB AT Freight Carrier • 2836 6x4 28-t Freight Carrier

Hino South Africa used the recently-ended Futuroad Expo Johannesburg 2017 to officially debut the new models of its 500 Series in South Africa, closing some crucial gaps in its existing product range, writes Munesu Shoko . PLUGGING THE PRODUCT VOID

• 2836 6x4 28-t Mixer • 2836 6x4 28-t Tipper

N ew products are mostly at the centre of every trade fair. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) often regard these platforms as their perfect launch pads for their new offerings. For Hino South Afri- ca, the recently-ended Futuroad Expo Johan- nesburg 2017, held from September 27-30, presented the ideal platform to showcase its newest additions to its 500 Series range. September also presented the perfect timing as the new range will go into production in Hino’s CKD assembly plant at Prospecton, Durban, in November 2017, after which it will be distributed to Hino’s network of 66 dealers in early 2018. Leslie Long, senior manager: Marketing and Demand Planning at Hino South Africa, tells Capital Equipment News that the

imminent arrival of the new Hino 500 Wide Cab models not only marks the first full mod- el change of the 500 Series in 14 years, but most importantly closes the two crucial gaps within its product range. Firstly, the new range gives Hino South Africa access into the 6x4 model market for the first time, allowing the Japanese truck maker to have a further grip on the local con- struction tipper and mixer market. Secondly, Hino has gone the full automatic route for the first time with some variants available with a choice of either a six-speed Allison 3000 or 3500 Series automatic transmission. Long notes a growing move towards automatic transmissions in commercial vehicles, and is excited to finally have a product that ad- dresses this growing market need.

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS NOVEMBER 2017 14