Class-leading safety is the focus for Hino Australia with the launch of the new 2020 Hino 300 Series, which boasts a list of standard safety features that make it the safest truck ever offered by a Japanese manufacturer in the Australian light-duty truck market.
Class-leading safety is the focus for Hino Australia with the launch of the new 2020 Hino 300 Series, which boasts a list of standard safety features that make it the safest truck ever offered by a Japanese manufacturer in the Australian light-duty truck market.
The new 300 Series features Hino SmartSafe, a comprehensive safety package with advanced driver-assist technology that takes an active focus in protecting the life of drivers, passengers and other road users.
“Hino SmartSafe includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection (PD) and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), in addition to the already extensive list of standard safety features such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Reverse Camera,” said Daniel Petrovski, Manager of Product Strategy for Hino Australia.
“At Hino, we have lifted the bar in regards to the standard safety specifications that Australian customers should expect from a Japanese-built truck.
“Starting in 2011, the Hino 300 Series was the first Japanese-built light-duty truck to include the life-saving feature of VSC.
“Similarly, Hino was also the first Japanese manufacturer to offer VSC and PCS in the medium-duty market, with the launch of the new 500 Series Standard Cab in early 2019.
“It should come as no surprise that we have continued with this trend, by introducing Hino SmartSafe and choosing the most comprehensive safety package available for our new 300 Series models.”
Other safety features include dual SRS airbags, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and UN ECE R-29 cab strength certification.
“Hino is also the only Japanese manufacturer to offer Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) on a light-duty truck, which highlight a truck’s presence to other road users,” Mr Petrovski continued.
“We are also the only manufacturer to feature a reverse camera as standard equipment across our entire range of light, medium and heavy-duty trucks.”
Pre-Collision Safety – The Next Step in Safety for Light-Duty Trucks
Pre-Collision Safety is an active safety system that, via the combination of an image sensor (camera) and radar technology, can detect potential collisions with another vehicle, and/or a pedestrian.
“PCS continuously scans the road in front of the truck and assists the driver to actively minimise the type of accidents that regularly occur through poor vision, driver distraction or poor judgement,” said Mr Petrovski.
“The system is particularly useful in avoiding common nose-to-tail accidents such as when traffic unexpectedly backs up, or on a single lane road where a driver may not notice that the vehicle ahead is slowing or is already at a standstill.
“In these cases, when PCS detects the vehicle ahead and calculates that there is risk of a collision with the vehicle in front of the truck, the system will warn the driver both audibly and visually on the new 4.2-inch TFT LCD Multi Instrumentation Display located within the instrumentation cluster.”
If the driver fails to react to the imminent danger, PCS can, as a last resort, autonomously apply the brakes in order to minimise the vehicle’s speed and subsequent damage due to impact, or in some circumstances, assist the driver to avoid the collision altogether.
“Our 500 Series Standard Cab customers are continually telling us that the inclusion of PCS is a key factor in their decision-making process – this direct feedback from our customers supports the decision to make PCS a standard safety feature on all Hino 300 Series and 500 Series Standard Cab 4x2 Hino trucks.”
Lane Departure Warning System as Standard
The Lane Departure Warning System uses the PCS camera, and provides the driver with audible and visual cues if the truck changes lanes without the turn indicator being engaged by the driver.
“We are now offering passenger car-like levels of safety across the new 300 Series range.
“The cab of the truck is the driver’s workplace, and Australian truck operators understand the importance of making the driver’s working environment and other road users as safe as possible,” said Mr Petrovski.
Vehicle Stability Remains at the Forefront
“Vehicle Stability Control saves lives every year on the road, and that’s why it is standard equipment on every 4x2 Hino model from the car-licenced 300 Series through to 500 Series Standard Cab and Wide Cab models, and also on the heavy-duty 700 Series SH 2045,” said Mr Petrovski.
Working in conjunction with the brake and engine control system, VSC can help prevent the truck from rolling over when entering and/or exiting a corner too fast.
VSC is also able to enhance vehicle stability on slippery surfaces by autonomously reducing engine power and applying the brakes to individual wheels, helping to keep the truck on the driver’s intended path.
VSC continually monitors the steering angle, wheel rotation speed, yaw rate and lateral G forces.
The VSC system is complemented by four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, which provide greater stopping power, more consistent pedal feel and greater stability, especially at higher speeds and regardless of how the vehicle is laden.
Intelligent Multimedia Extras Aid Reverse Camera
Like all Hino trucks, the new 300 Series models are equipped with a Reverse Camera which offers wide view, high definition vision, along with infrared night vision on the 6.5-inch high definition multimedia unit.
“The camera includes a microphone to alert the driver to what is occurring at the rear of the vehicle,” said Mr Petrovski.
The reverse camera, in combination with the generously sized windscreen and large external mirrors, provides drivers with near 360-degree vision for improved safety when manoeuvring the vehicle.
“Our external mirrors include a heated and electrically adjustable main mirror with an additional convex spotter mirror for wide viewing.”
The multimedia unit is capable of connecting up to four independent cameras and can also be optioned with DVR recording capabilities, as well as a truck specific satellite navigation system.
Another standout feature of the new multimedia unit is the Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with voice dialling.
Key multimedia features can be controlled by the new steering wheel controls, which ensure that the driver’s eyes are kept on the road.
Safety In and Out of the Cab
The safety features of the new 300 Series run throughout the exterior and interior of the cab, with many subtle improvements adding to the overall safety of the new models.
From the UN ECE R-29 cab strength certification to the dual SRS airbags, Hino SmartSafe is complemented by enhancements such as new Daytime Running Lights.
“Enhancing the ergonomics results in a more comfortable workplace, reduced fatigue and, ultimately, better performing drivers,” said Mr Petrovski.
“The driver’s seat and steering wheel offer a range of positions, allowing for a more comfortable experience for drivers of most shapes and sizes.
“Access is achieved through the generously sized door opening, large footstep and well-placed grab handle locations,” concluded Mr Petrovski.
The new Hino 300 Series is now available at Hino dealerships nationwide, with more information available at www.hino.com.au.