Hino Australia has become the only Japanese manufacturer to achieve positive sales results for the 2019 calendar year across all segments.
Hino Australia has challenged industry trends, and despite tough market conditions, has become the only Japanese manufacturer to achieve positive sales results for the 2019 calendar year across all segments.
Strong and consistent sales confirmed the strength and appeal of the Hino brand and product range, with the company increasing its market share to 17.5%, delivering a total of 5,547 trucks and buses nationwide.
In a highly competitive Australian market, Hino outperformed the competition in the Light Duty segment with an overall market share of 22.7%, up 1% versus the same time in 2018. While in the Medium Duty segment, we saw impressive results which can be contributed to the all-new 500 Series Standard Cab, with Hino recording an overall market share of 31.6% an increase of 5% versus 2018.
In the Heavy Duty segment, Hino was the only brand to maintain sales and share in line with 2018.
The successful results have been in part attributed to the customer focused business strategy, Hino Advantage, now in its fifth year.
“Since the introduction of Hino Advantage, we have continued to outpace our competitors,” Bill Gillespie, General Manager – Brand and Franchise Development, Hino Motor Sales Australia, said.
“Along with our market leading products, our focus on programs and offerings to support our dealer network and establish long term ongoing relationships with our customers through our aftersales services has ensured that Hino has earned the reputation as a respected and reliable business partner.”
“We know that, long after the truck has been handed over, customers want a partnership that continues to benefit and grow their business - Hino Advantage does just that."
“But our success story extends beyond just sales, as a business we continue to grow and evolve with facility upgrades and builds, increased brand awareness via our sponsorship involvements and the continual roll-out of new initiatives in recruitment and training.”
In 2019, Hino ramped up its involvement in the Virgin Supercars Championship announcing a new three year sponsorship deal of the overall category and the extension of their sponsorship of the Team 18 IRWIN Racing outfit.
“Supercars is hugely popular with our Dealer network, customers and fan base - our involvement not only provides for increased brand recognition but quality networking opportunities and is yet another value add for our customers,” Mr Gillespie explained.
In what is believed to be a first for the Australian truck industry, 2019 saw the introduction of a series of seminars hosted by Hino aimed specifically at providing further training and education to the bodybuilder network.
Addressing the national shortage of skilled heavy vehicle mechanics, Hino also launched a new international recruitment program, which will see skilled workers from the Philippines being trained locally.
The program has been built based on successes experienced by individual dealerships, with the first group of successful candidates to commence training in April 2020.
For the eleventh consecutive year, Hino Motors Limited in Japan recognised the Australian Parts team, as Parts Department of the Year, while the Service Department took the same honour for the eighth year in a row.
It was a big year for the Dealer Network with several upgrades and new facilities completed including in Mackay (Queensland); Taree, Wodonga and Wagga (New South Wales); Lonsdale (South Australia); Kalgoorlie, Newman, Onslow and Port Headland (Western Australia); and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
The expansion and investment in the Dealer network will continue in 2020, as Hino Australia’s focus remains on meeting customer demands and needs.
“We are extremely proud of our progress and ability to adapt to the fast changing conditions of the market. With our strategic and innovative approach we are confident that our success will continue as we remain at the forefront of customer and product innovation,” Mr Gillespie concluded.