CMI Hino in Regency Park, Adelaide, is celebrating its successes and history during its 45th birthday. CMI Hino has been associated with Hino since its inception, making it the longest-serving Hino dealership in Australia.
CMI is a part of the CMV group - a large conglomerate of automotive dealerships and horticulture businesses in South Australia and Victoria - which was established in 1934 by Sidney Crawford.
The CMV Group and CMI Hino have remained family businesses since their founding, and CMV Group Joint Managing Director Paul Crawford is one of three Crawford brothers currently helping the business to prosper.
"In the early '60s we became involved with Toyota Motor Corporation through Thiess Toyota, and that then led us in the late '60s to become involved with this new brand, Hino trucks," Mr Crawford said.
"In those days Hino was really setting the new benchmarks for reliability and durability which was not seen up until then.
"Obviously Hino trucks have really evolved over the last 50 years, but I've got to say that the foundation for the Hino brand - particularly its core, QDR (quality, durability and reliability) - was there from the beginning, and is still there today.
"It's great to sell a product with so much confidence," he said.
CMI's 45th birthday celebrations included adorning its well-preserved 1970 Hino KL 300 with livery of a long-standing customer, Harris Bros of Lenswood, South Australia.
The KL 300 is a part of CMI's vehicle collection. The KL 300 has covered over 1.6 million kilometres in its lifetime while remaining in good condition.
It is equipped with an EC 100 engine that develops 88kW and 298Nm of torque.