Hino conquers Dakar

Hino has once again triumphed in the Dakar Rally, with Hino Team Sugawara taking its seventh consecutive win in the gruelling 9200-kilometre, 15-day event held in Argentina and Bolivia.

The only Japanese manufacturer to contest the Dakar, the team was victorious in the Under 10-litre truck class with Teruhito Sugawara's vehicle finishing in 13th place – three places higher than last year and some five hours and 50 minutes after the outright winner, Gerard De Rooy (Iveco). Meanwhile Teruhito's father, Yoshimasu – also the Dakar's oldest competitor at 74 years of age – finished in 31st position.

The Chairman of Hino Motors, Masakazu Ichikawa, flew to South America to congratulate Hino Team Sugawara on its achievement in this, the 25th year in which the brand has entered the event.

"I'd like to acknowledge the team for delivering a solid performance this year again," he said.

"I'm very grateful to the entire team and for all the support that we've received."

Teruhito Sugawara said the team was on track to continue its class domination.

"This was the 25th anniversary of Hino Motors' first entry in the Dakar Rally, so I took that to heart as we raced," he said.

"The truck upgrades that we made have had a definite impact and I feel that we've got our rivals by their tails now.

"We know what we need to do next, so I think this was a great race also in terms of development going forward."

The team says it will now set its sights on the 2017 Dakar Rally.