Hino 300 Series models power ahead

Despite tough economic conditions in Australia's light-duty truck segment, Hino Australia says its 300 Series range is bucking the trend

Hino Australia says sales of its 300 Series models are growing despite an overall slowing of the market, with the trucks' safety and full auto gearboxes proving major drawcards.

According to the latest Truck Industry Council data for the first half of 2014, Australian truck sales are down by 4.7 per cent overall while the light-duty segment is down by 8.8 per cent, the latter's figure falling from 4385 units to the end of June 2013 to 3997 to the end of June this year.

Despite the uphill battle, comparative sales of Hino's light-duty models have increased from 814 for the first half of 2013 to 875 for the first half of 2014 – an increase of 7.5 per cent. The growth has also seen Hino increase its market share in the light-duty segment to 21.9 per cent, up from 18.6 per cent this time last year.

According to Hino Australia's Divisional Manager, Sales, James Morris, the growth has stemmed from the availability of vehicle stability control and genuine automatic gearboxes across its 300 Series range, along with a recent promotion relating to the latter.

"We recognised the potential sales advantage the 300 Series' full automatic gearboxes give us and ran a free automatic transmission upgrade promotion from October last year through to March," he said.

"The result was terrific – the promotion, combined with the other outstanding qualities of the 300 Series, generated a 140 per cent increase in sales to retail buyers.

"The interesting thing for Hino is that this increase in sales didn't come at the expense of manual transmission models."

Buyers also cited vehicle stability control as a compelling factor in guiding their decision, said Mr Morris.

"A recurring theme was the number of customers who chose a Hino 300 Series because they offer the lifesaving vehicle stability control as standard, plus a full suite of safety equipment to provide the safest light-duty-truck working environment."

Mr Morris said the recently launched High Horsepower 300 Series models (300 Series 921 High Horsepower model pictured) would lend the range added momentum, while the firm has now replicated its 300 Series auto upgrade campaign in its medium-duty 500 Series trucks (500 Series FD also pictured).

"We believe there is potential for even better sales for the Hino 500 Series, and we're now running a similar campaign where customers can upgrade to a ProShift Automated Manual Transmission for the price of a manual."

For more information see your nearest Hino dealer or visit www.hino.com.au.

Hino 300 Series models power ahead

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