Hino trucks - where's the predicted invasion?
Discussion
Watching some old top gear episodes earlier, I stumbled across this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYS7rIHA3kg
Now, up until that video, I had thought Hino were one of these recently emerged and biblically crap chinese makes like Great Wall, and surmised that the only reason I'd seen a few Hino tippers on building sites was because the fleet managers were incredibly tight-fisted.
However, I now see that they are a long-standing Japanese make that are (or were in the video, anyway) giving the Euro's a run for their money in terms of simple rugged durability and manufacturing quality. The presenter remarks that it probably wouldnt be long before they muscled into the conventional truck market like Toyota, Nissan etc were doing at the time in the car market with cheap, well made and reliable cars.
So where did it all go wrong? How come, 25 years later, Hino sightings are still restricted to a few building site tippers? Why havent they expanded into all the other truck sectors and become a common sight?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYS7rIHA3kg
Now, up until that video, I had thought Hino were one of these recently emerged and biblically crap chinese makes like Great Wall, and surmised that the only reason I'd seen a few Hino tippers on building sites was because the fleet managers were incredibly tight-fisted.
However, I now see that they are a long-standing Japanese make that are (or were in the video, anyway) giving the Euro's a run for their money in terms of simple rugged durability and manufacturing quality. The presenter remarks that it probably wouldnt be long before they muscled into the conventional truck market like Toyota, Nissan etc were doing at the time in the car market with cheap, well made and reliable cars.
So where did it all go wrong? How come, 25 years later, Hino sightings are still restricted to a few building site tippers? Why havent they expanded into all the other truck sectors and become a common sight?
Hairbrakes said:
Watching some old top gear episodes earlier, I stumbled across this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYS7rIHA3kg
Now, up until that video, I had thought Hino were one of these recently emerged and biblically crap chinese makes like Great Wall, and surmised that the only reason I'd seen a few Hino tippers on building sites was because the fleet managers were incredibly tight-fisted.
However, I now see that they are a long-standing Japanese make that are (or were in the video, anyway) giving the Euro's a run for their money in terms of simple rugged durability and manufacturing quality. The presenter remarks that it probably wouldnt be long before they muscled into the conventional truck market like Toyota, Nissan etc were doing at the time in the car market with cheap, well made and reliable cars.
So where did it all go wrong? How come, 25 years later, Hino sightings are still restricted to a few building site tippers? Why havent they expanded into all the other truck sectors and become a common sight?
because they are rubbish.hope that helps lol.having been lumbered driving one for a year or so(in a daf cf now-soooo much better to drive)they are terrible.really thirsty,pudding stirrer gear change,uncomfortable(no leg room and i'm not tall),and very expensive parts-£1400 for an alternator!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYS7rIHA3kg
Now, up until that video, I had thought Hino were one of these recently emerged and biblically crap chinese makes like Great Wall, and surmised that the only reason I'd seen a few Hino tippers on building sites was because the fleet managers were incredibly tight-fisted.
However, I now see that they are a long-standing Japanese make that are (or were in the video, anyway) giving the Euro's a run for their money in terms of simple rugged durability and manufacturing quality. The presenter remarks that it probably wouldnt be long before they muscled into the conventional truck market like Toyota, Nissan etc were doing at the time in the car market with cheap, well made and reliable cars.
So where did it all go wrong? How come, 25 years later, Hino sightings are still restricted to a few building site tippers? Why havent they expanded into all the other truck sectors and become a common sight?
t Euro truck manufacturers are gone, the UK is possibly the toughest market in the world, expensive fuel, size restrictions and emissions mean the trucks we already have are world leaders.Hairbrakes said:
Watching some old top gear episodes earlier, I stumbled across this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYS7rIHA3kg
Now, up until that video, I had thought Hino were one of these recently emerged and biblically crap chinese makes like Great Wall, and surmised that the only reason I'd seen a few Hino tippers on building sites was because the fleet managers were incredibly tight-fisted.
However, I now see that they are a long-standing Japanese make that are (or were in the video, anyway) giving the Euro's a run for their money in terms of simple rugged durability and manufacturing quality. The presenter remarks that it probably wouldnt be long before they muscled into the conventional truck market like Toyota, Nissan etc were doing at the time in the car market with cheap, well made and reliable cars.
So where did it all go wrong? How come, 25 years later, Hino sightings are still restricted to a few building site tippers? Why havent they expanded into all the other truck sectors and become a common sight?
Hino have made some inroads into the scheme tarmac tipper market. They are able to offer a Tarmac-spec vehicle with a very short lead time whereas Volvo and Scania have very long lead times, and cost considerably more.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYS7rIHA3kg
Now, up until that video, I had thought Hino were one of these recently emerged and biblically crap chinese makes like Great Wall, and surmised that the only reason I'd seen a few Hino tippers on building sites was because the fleet managers were incredibly tight-fisted.
However, I now see that they are a long-standing Japanese make that are (or were in the video, anyway) giving the Euro's a run for their money in terms of simple rugged durability and manufacturing quality. The presenter remarks that it probably wouldnt be long before they muscled into the conventional truck market like Toyota, Nissan etc were doing at the time in the car market with cheap, well made and reliable cars.
So where did it all go wrong? How come, 25 years later, Hino sightings are still restricted to a few building site tippers? Why havent they expanded into all the other truck sectors and become a common sight?
I haven't driven one, but the people who have taken them on seem very pleased with themselves.
There are a few reasons that Hino and others have not as yet had a large impact on the UK market:--
Trucks are shipped as kits and assembled in Ireland by Harris who are a business independent of Toyota.
Harris sells completed built up chassis and sometimes bodied trucks to UK Dealers.
These are essentially older and simpler spec trucks as Harris always wants a deal.
These trucks are mainly aimed at muck away etc as they are simple and robust.
Not enough UK dealers to provide support.
Basic unappealing spec for drivers so operators don't buy them as they cant get drivers for them.
Euro 6 emissions will mean that they are now mainly fit for export if still unregistered.
The big markets in UK or Europe are for well appointed cabs, good auto shift gearboxes, high horsepower and torque, good economy in operation and that includes warranty, parts prices, service capability, distance to nearest dealer and of course fuel economy irrespective of whether its a 44t tractor or a 10t rigid.
Hino in Japan makes 44t Tractors but they are mainly aimed at there home market/Aus/NZ/Africa as they are 6x4 with constant mesh transmissions etc.
Make no mistake Japanese heavy trucks will gain a strong foothold but it will not be for another 10-15yrs yet.
A
Trucks are shipped as kits and assembled in Ireland by Harris who are a business independent of Toyota.
Harris sells completed built up chassis and sometimes bodied trucks to UK Dealers.
These are essentially older and simpler spec trucks as Harris always wants a deal.
These trucks are mainly aimed at muck away etc as they are simple and robust.
Not enough UK dealers to provide support.
Basic unappealing spec for drivers so operators don't buy them as they cant get drivers for them.
Euro 6 emissions will mean that they are now mainly fit for export if still unregistered.
The big markets in UK or Europe are for well appointed cabs, good auto shift gearboxes, high horsepower and torque, good economy in operation and that includes warranty, parts prices, service capability, distance to nearest dealer and of course fuel economy irrespective of whether its a 44t tractor or a 10t rigid.
Hino in Japan makes 44t Tractors but they are mainly aimed at there home market/Aus/NZ/Africa as they are 6x4 with constant mesh transmissions etc.
Make no mistake Japanese heavy trucks will gain a strong foothold but it will not be for another 10-15yrs yet.
A
Pretty much as above but with poor availability of parts so when they go wrong they are off the road. Also drivers didn't want to drive them and also affected by the downturn in the economy due to their exposure to just one market (tippers) badly affected by the decline in the building industry
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