There are lots of reasons why solo-traders and businesses should consider upgrading to a light-duty truck. The capabilities of a light-duty truck come out on top when compared to utes and commercial vans over a broad range of applications. If your business is on the rise, ensure your vehicles are up to the tasks. We have outlined why upgrading your vehicle could take your business to the next level.
1. Payload
Overloaded motor vehicles jeopardise the safety of drivers. It costs your business more in fuel and repairs, affecting its performance on the road. If you have a crash it could greatly impact your insurance claims too. A ute runs the risk of getting hefty fines and long-term damage. This is because utes have a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of between 2,900kg and 3,200kg compared with trucks which are designed for heavier payloads than utes. Even the smallest Hino truck has a maximium loaded weight of 4,500kg and can be driven on a car licence. With a higher GVM, a truck is more likely to carry a customer’s required payload and increase your business’s potential. Light-duty trucks are a great option and still easy to manoeuvre because of their compact dimensions.
2. Towing capacity
All Hino 300 Series trucks have a 3,500kg towing capacity and can be driven on a car licence. Not all utes have this capacity, those that do have restrictions. The Gross Combination Mass (GCM: the total ute and trailer mass) may not allow the ute and the trailer to be loaded together. The huge stress on the chassis along with the legal and safety consequences are not worth the risk. A light-duty truck like the Hino 300 Series offers outstanding payload possibilities.
3. Driver safety
The new Hino 300 Series is the safest Japanese light-duty truck in the Australian market. Leading the class in safety, it includes Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection (PD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Daytime Running Lamps (DRL's) and Reverse Camera. The PCS scans the road ahead using radar and image sensors to detect imminent collisions and warns the driver. If the driver fails to react, PCS can apply the brakes to reduce speed, minimise damage, or avoid collision. Utes also have a high level of active safety features.
4. Space
Space can be a huge factor when deciding what vehicle will be best for your business. Light-duty Cab-Over-Engine trucks have a compact cabin design. A Cab-Over-Engine design allows a light-duty truck to have a longer body than a ute. This is because there is no bonnet to take up extra space. With a truck, you can have a short, manoeuvrable vehicle which enables tighter turning circles. It is also possible to have longer and broader bodies on trucks than utes. You can even use the Hino 300 Series truck for your dirt bikes, camping gear, the whole family, and the dog. All this, without too much of a worry of being unsafe or overweight.
5. Custom body
With a Hino truck, it is easy to customise the body which can improve the efficiency and productivity of your business. Before going to an authorised dealer, ask yourself, how much load do you need to carry? What will you be carrying in that load? Most trucks are sold in a cab chassis configuration, to allow for customisation. Hino trucks are designed to provide the strongest platform for bodies. Dealerships specialise to assist customers with building customised bodies through their suppliers and also using Hino Bodyworx for assistance and advice. A good body is an investment for a safe, efficient, and effective mobile workforce. The options are endless but it's best you speak to the Sales Representative and ensure you drive away with a vehicle that meets all your requirements.
6. Parts and their durability
If you own a business, you’ll probably be looking for a good deal and to keep running costs as low as possible to boost your profit. With over 60 Hino dealerships and services centres nationally, Hino will take care of you for the life of your vehicle. Capped Price Servicing is available from factory trained technicians using Hino Genuine Parts supported by Hino’s 3 years factory warranty.
7. Vehicle resale value
Vehicle depreciation cannot be prevented. But there are actions you can take to slow your vehicles depreciation and maximise its resale value. The condition of the interior and exterior, fuel efficiency, make, model and quality of maintenance all contribute to a vehicles resale value. Hino offers a range of support solutions through Hino Advantage which guarantees access to 3 Years, 24/7 Roadside Assistance, 3 Years or 100,000km standard warranty on light-duty models, Capped Price Servicing, Hino Genuine Parts, Hino Finance and more. This level of support will help to keep your truck in great condition and maintain value for resale.
8. Do I need a truck licence?
Your light-duty truck can be driven on a car licence, as long as the GVM is not above 4.5 tonnes. The 300 Series offers True Automatic Transmission across the range and supports 3.5 tonne towing capacity on a car licence.
Before choosing between a ute or a light-duty truck, make sure you know which vehicle will work best for you, your drivers, your staff, and most importantly, your return on investment. Choosing the right vehicle will make your work and business more efficient.
Contact your local Hino Dealer today!