The Hino 300 Series light-duty truck range has taken out PowerTorque magazine’s Technology and Innovation Award for 2012.
Presented in recognition of the company’s decision to introduce advanced new safety technology to the trucking industry, the award was accepted by Hino’s Alex Stewart at a gala ceremony held recently in Melbourne.
The 2012 awards judges attributed the win to a number of advanced technological features fitted to the all-new Hino 300 Series, including the potentially life-saving Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) which is a standard feature across the entire range.
In addition to stability control, Hino 300 Series technologies include dual front SRS airbags, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, ABS anti-lock braking systems, an integrated FUPS (front under-run protection system) on all wide cab models and a DAB+ digital-radio multimedia unit than can be optioned with up to three rear view cameras and safety-focused truck-specific satellite navigation.
Alex Stewart said Hino Australia was honoured to receive the award in recognition of the company’s ongoing push to bring about drastic improvements to the safety of new trucks sold in Australia.
“The addition of Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) as standard equipment across the new 300 Series range was a decision made early in the product planning process in light of the ever-expanding customer base for this type of truck,” he said. “An increasing number of rental and fleet buyers are selecting light-duty trucks in place of utility vehicles, meaning a broader selection of drivers are now behind the wheel of trucks.
“A significant proportion of truck accidents can be prevented using advanced driver-aid technologies like VSC, and our aim with the new 300 Series was to provide customers with what we believe to be the safest light-duty truck on the market.”
The all-new Hino 300 Series range was subjected to record levels of Australian design and engineering input. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), traction control, ABS braking and front SRS airbags systems were all optimised for specific Australian conditions prior to the model’s launch in September last year.