L’ÉCHO DU TRANSPORT – JUNE 2005

HINO LAUNCHES ITS 2006 MODELS

by Éric Bérard

Customers and Dealers impressed by the latest line-up. If the big turn was taken in 2004 when Hino decided to go from the cab over to the conventional cab concept, it did not mean that the trucks development had stopped. At the Waterloo track, a Hino employee gives the go ahead to a group of test drivers. In fact, just like selected Hino customers and dealers across the country, l’Écho du transport had the opportunity to review the 2006 line-up of the Japanese manufacturer and to test drive a few models on a track in Waterloo, Ontario, approximately an hour away from Toronto. The “star” of the event was the brand new Hino 258 Low Profile (GVW 25,500lbs.). This model targets applications where a low profile is particularly popular such as landscaping, construction materiel delivery, etc. Also new is the availability of 308 and 338 models with a wheelbase of 271in., which allows the installation of a 27-1/2ft. body. Hino mentions that its engine is positioned several inches lower than in the competitor trucks, which makes it more accessible for the technicians. Moreover, class 6 & 7 models with standard transmission are now equipped with a self-adjusting Solo clutch, oil lubricated wheel bearings, and a three-piece bumper. In addition, the Allison automatic transmission is the stronger “Rugged series”. A Pacbrake exhaust brake is also available as dealer installed option. On the appearance and visibility side, we note that all models are now equipped with a chrome grille and new composite style headlamps that provide twice as much illumination as the previous models. Visibly impressed by the truck that he just drove, the President of Messagerie du Fjord plans to acquire a few of them next fall. The trucks category directly refers to the load capacity (see table).

Hino 2006 Line-Up
Model	GVW(lbs.)	Class
165	16,000	4
185	17,600	5
185	18,000	5
258	25,500	6
308	30,000	7
338	33,000	7

Convincing test drive for Mr. Maltais

Test drives confirm that these trucks are the latest Hino. Visibility is excellent despite the hood, and the author of this article had a childish pleasure to manoeuvre through the slalom course.

Mr. Claude Maltais, President of Messagerie du Fjord in Chicoutimi already has a few Hino in his fleet of 46 trucks, with approximately 25 straight trucks. If we rely on his comments collected by l’Écho du transport, chances are he will order more Hino trucks. Mr. Maltais was invited to share his impressions on the 2006 models compared to the current Hino he owns: “The drive is better. The exhaust brake is amazing. The truck range is also very good. It pulls just as well as my camper.” What about the competitor trucks that we rented for comparison purposes? “Hino has better handling. The drive is straighter.”, concludes Mr. Maltais.

In terms of fuel consumption, Hino assures to do better than any of the competition.

On the slalom course, Claude Maltais tests the handling of the Hino 2006.