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Hino 4x4s join the ranks at ADF

Left to Right: Tony Romano and Russell Gordon (All Truck Bodies), Mike Smith (Hino), Bob Den Hartog (Defence), Phill Dobbie (LeasePlan) and Michael Cormack (Defence).

Hino Australia recently completed a delivery of 56 new 4×4 medium-duty trucks to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as part of a long-standing relationship between the two organisations.

Hino’s all-terrain 500 Series GT 4×4 was chosen by the ADF to fill a number of critical logistical roles around Australia, and has been configured in both GT 1322 standard cab and GT 1322 crew cab specifications.

The Australian Defence Force has received more than 520 Hino trucks since 1995, actively deployed to varying multi-task roles, with the 500th vehicle presented to ADF personnel in late June.

According to Hino Australia national government sales manager, Tom Ayrton,
Hino’s GT 4×4 variants have found favour with the ADF because of their outstanding combination of reliability, durability and versatility.

“The Hino GT is a versatile truck with exceptional off-road ability, civilised on-road handling and tremendous load-carrying ability, making it the perfect vehicle for this very important non-combat application,” Ayrton said. “As Hino’s flagship 4×4 truck, the GT features a heavy-duty low-range four-wheel-drive transfer case, and can be driven in two-wheel-drive mode on-road to maximise economy.

“Its performance and durability are legendary as the GT is the base vehicle for Hino’s record-breaking Dakar Rally race truck, which is the only vehicle in Dakar history to have completed 21 consecutive race starts and finishes,” Tom added.

The ADF purpose-specification trucks are equipped with a heavy-duty steel tray and tarp, tailgate loader, heavy-duty leaf spring suspension and all-terrain protection equipment including Hino’s genuine alloy bullbar. They are also fitted with 11R 22.5 wheel and tyre combinations which will be the standard specification on all Hino 4×4 GT 500 Series models from July 2012 production.

Tom Ayrton said Hino was able to meet an obligation to have the vehicles enter service by June 30 thanks to the efficiency of Hino’s production system and a network of local supply partners.

“The first chassis did not arrive in Australia until late March and the last arrived in early June,” he said. “To get all 56 trucks completed with bodies and modifications and then delivered into service within three months is an outstanding achievement.

“It required a substantial team effort from Hino’s Australian staff and dealer network as well as key suppliers All Truck Bodies and VSE Engineering to get them ready in time.”

 

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