Hino Trucks is expanding its medium-duty product offerings for the 2009-MY to enter into a broader range of applications, including refuse, street sweeping, construction, utility, tree care, and work truck.

"We’ve implemented new options over the past year to help us get into those mission markets," said Glen Ellis, vice president, marketing and dealer development, Hino Trucks, based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Features Expand Applications

New options for the Class 7 338 model include increased capacity frames up to 120,000 psi and the ability to install cranes on the truck. Hino also has added a short wheelbase for its street sweeper and dump truck applications, and three new cab configurations.

The extended model is 30 inches longer than the regular cab size and features a bench seat or 26-inch fold-down sleeper. A new dual-steer sit-down configuration is available for street sweeper and refuse applications. The third new offering, a right-hand standup, is designed for recycling and refuse missions.

"These new features offer our fleet customers the same advantages our lease, rental, car hauler, and tow truck customers have experienced with our products," said Ellis. "For drivers, it’s the roominess and ergonomics of the cab and the quiet and maneuverability of the truck. With the dual steers, we still have a 55-degree wheel cut, which provides excellent maneuverability, especially in a refuse application where a truck is making 600-plus stops per day, and the ability to get in and out of traffic easily."

The right-hand standup uses a steering gear mounted to the truck’s current steering shaft, a cross member to a right-hand steering shaft. A hole is cut in the floor in which a bucket is placed so drivers can step into the truck. The straight-across dashboard gives the truck the same belly room on both the passenger and driver sides.

The three new cab models use OEM parts to facilitate dealer servicing. "Based on independent fuel studies, our truck has shown to produce up to 10-15 percent better fuel economy than our competitors," said Ellis. Overall, the fuel economy, reliability, and purchase price of our trucks provide fleets the lowest cost of ownership available."

Also new for the 2009-MY are aluminum fuel tanks, which offer improved heat dissipation, and a programmable idle shut-down to minimize idle time and maximize fuel economy.

The powertrain is a carryover from the 2008-MY. The engine is an 8.0L Hino J-Series proprietary diesel four-cycle, six-cylinder, inline water-cooled, six-speed manual Eaton or five-speed automatic Allison transmission offering 260 horsepower and 585 ft.-lbs. of torque. The warranty on the truck is two years/unlimited miles and the engine carries a three-year, unlimited-mile warranty.

Satisfied Fleets

According to a customer satisfaction survey, the retention rate with Hino Truck customers is 91%. The manufacturer introduced the standup right-hand drive and dual sit-down drive to positive reviews at the Waste Expo this year in Chicago.

Last year, overall, the Class 6-7 truck market was down 34%. Although Hino sales also were down, according to Ellis, the manufacturer outpaced the market with just a 14% decrease in sales. With 174 locations nationwide, Hino has dealer points to service both national and local fleets.