Hino refreshes appearance and adds features to popular 300-Series

Hino South Africa has made some cosmetic changes to the exterior and interior appearance of its popular 300-Series of medium trucks, while adding features and realigning the model mix.

These models have been among the leaders in the local medium truck market for many years. The comprehensive and competitively-priced range now offers 13 derivatives with body and payload capability of between 3 390 and 5 950 kg, basically covering the two, three, four, and five-tonne markets.

The Hino 300-Series is a key player in various applications, including cash-in-transit, express and overnight deliveries, and refrigerated cargo transportation, as well as the bakery industry. The crew cabs are proving popular with construction companies and municipalities.

The big news for 2021 was that a six-speed fully automatic transmission is now offered across the 300-Series range, whereas previously it was available only on certain models following limited introduction in 2015. The “intelligent” Hino automatic has a fuel-saving torque converter lock-up in five ratios – from second to sixth gear.

This option is now extended to the 714 Crew Cab, 916 LWB, and 916 Crew Cab models. The availability of the six-speed automatic on 916 models follows requests from operators and is seen as an important addition to an already comprehensive line-up of Hino medium trucks.

There are new manual gearboxes too, with some models getting fuel-saving six-speed units while others retain a five-speeder, although this is now a new model with revised and optimised ratios.

The fuel tank size for the 916 models goes up from 100 to 150 litres, which translates into considerably increased usable range. Another worthwhile improvement on models with manual transmission is the fitment of hill assist (Easy Start) to stop the truck from rolling backwards when pulling off on an incline.

Externally there are daytime running lights and revised front grille panels on all models, while the Narrow Cab models get new headlamps and a front bumper change. Inside the cab, a revised instrument panel boasts a larger speedometer and tachometer which are easier to read. Radio with Bluetooth functionality adds to safety with its hands-free capability.

“We are incredibly pleased that we now have an updated and revised Hino 300-Series range, aimed at meeting the varied customer requirements in many operating situations in South Africa. We believe we now offer a complete transport solution in the medium truck market segment,” explains Ernie Trautmann, vice-president of Hino South Africa.

“All models have excellent levels of standard equipment – including safety features – backed by the best after-sales service in the South African truck industry currently, as well as Hino’s long-standing proud reputation for Quality, Durability, and Reliability – the brand’s DNA,” he continues.

Trautmann believes that Hino offers its South African customers far more than simply revisions to a popular medium truck range. He notes that the brand and its dealer network ranked first in overall ratings from DATATrack – a quarterly survey of sales, parts, and technical service conducted with a large panel of truck operators – for the ninth time.

“Recently we introduced HINO-CONNECT, a full fleet management telematics solution, which is now standard on all Hino trucks assembled at our plant in Prospecton, outside Durban. This latest important benefit for our customers follows the launch in 2021 of a range of competitively-priced service and maintenance plans that can be tailored to suit a customer’s specific needs,” he expands.

“We remain driven by Hino’s international strategy of Total Support, which involves building meaningful relationships between Hino Japan, Hino South Africa, our team at the head office in Sandton, our countrywide dealer network, our suppliers and service providers, and – most importantly – our customers,” says Trautmann. “It is a proven recipe that continues to bear fruit at all Hino operations globally and our ongoing successes and achievements in South Africa stem from adherence to these philosophies and principles.”