Hino 300 Series 4x4

Hino 300 Series 4x4

Hino Australia recently announced that its six-month-old Hino 300 Series 4x4 is exceeding sales goals. According to Bill Gillespie, Hino Australia’s general manager of brand and franchise development, the truck has already grabbed up 20% of the overall light duty 4x4 market. What is particularly impressive, he says, is that “at the end of April, we increased our orders by 71% on our April year to date target.” Gillespie credits this immediate sales success to the fact that the Hino 300 Series has won over customers in the mining industry, as well as emergency services, but is also doing well in other markets, some of which were unexpected.

“Interestingly, our regional dealerships have had strong sales from farmers who are trading in their light commercial vehicles for the 300 Series 4x4 due to its superior 7,500-kilogram GVM and 4x4 capabilities,” says Gillespie. “Whilst we have gained success in known markets, there has also been considerable interest from the agricultural and forestry industries.”

Making waves in a growing market

The overall 4x4 market has been growing over the past few years, and the Hino 300 Series came along at just the right time to take full advantage of that excitement and interest. “This 4x4 segment of the light-duty truck market is expected to finish between 800 and 900 units at the end of 2018, which is an increase of over 33% from 2017,” Gillespie says. “Market interest and customer orders of the 300 Series 4x4 have been so strong that we have accelerated our forecasts for the next two calendar years significantly to meet market opportunities.”

Specifications & features

The Hino 300 Series 4x4 comes in two configurations, a single cab and a crew cab, but you’ll get the same 4-litre diesel engine and six-speed manual overdrive transmission with both. Thus equipped, the truck produces 165 horsepower (121 kilowatts) and 464 newton-metres of torque, and also comes with a dual-range 4x4 transfer case, all of which work together to make it a good fit for use on and off the road.

Other features include 4-wheel disc brakes, cruise control, SRS airbags for the driver and passenger, and air conditioning in the rear on the crew cab configuration. It’s also the only 4x4 in Australia that comes standard with a reverse camera and Vehicle Stability Control. Hino backs the truck with a 3-year/100,000-kilometre warranty.