Hino Trucks Model 338 Named ATD Medium Duty Commercial Truck of the Year

NOVI, Mich., April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hino Trucks 338 model took home the 2011 Medium Duty Commercial Truck of the Year award.  The 2011 award marks the second year in a row that the American Truck Dealers (ATD) division of the NADA has bestowed this honor on Hino after its 268 model received the same accolade in 2010.

The trucks were judged on innovation, design, fuel economy, driver and owner satisfaction, ease of maintenance and safety.  "We congratulate Hino Motors Sales U.S.A. and all of the nominees for participating in this year's ATD Commercial Truck of the Year competition," said Dick Witcher, ATD convention chairman. "The award competition, which honors the top medium- and heavy-duty trucks sold in the United States, continues to grow. We look forward to hosting the competition next year during the convention in Las Vegas." The judging panel consists of journalists from leading truck publications in North America.  

"We are honored and thrilled to have won the ATD Medium Duty truck of the Year Award for the second consecutive year," said Sumio Fukaya, President and CEO of Hino Trucks.  "We strive to make the world a better place to live by helping people and goods get where they need to go - safely, economically and with environmental responsibility - while focusing on sustainable development.  It brings us great satisfaction to see that our efforts are meeting the expectation of the industry."

The 33,000 lb. GVW, 2012MY Hino 338 model features Hino's signature J08E series 8-liter diesel engine producing 260 hp and 660 lb-ft of torque that has become the premier choice for many vocations such as beverage delivery, municipalities, construction, utilities, petroleum/gas delivery and waste/recycling.  In addition to a 13% improvement in engine torque, Hino's 338 model provides class 7 vocational fleets the advantages of an industry-leading 5-year/250,000 mile warranty and the only conventional medium duty EPA10 engine certified at the mandated level.

The standard equipment list on the Hino 338 sets the benchmark for the industry and speaks heavily to the quality, operating experience, and anticipated premium resale value of this truck. Standard features such as powder coated frame rails and Allison automatic transmission add to the truck's durability; the spacious straight-forward cab design, superior visibility and unmatched maneuverability contribute to a more safe operating environment; the standard exhaust brake feature, air-suspension driver's seat with armrest, cruise control, air-conditioning, and CD player add to the performance and operating comfort of the Hino 338.

Hino has expanded the optional equipment list for the 2012MY 338 to accommodate the needs of more vocations than ever before.  The option combination of a clean cab-to-axle (CA) and an Allison 2500 transmission with Shift Energy Management (SEM) is perfect for straight truck beverage delivery, while municipalities running snow plows and utility service companies with aerial lifts have options for 14,000 lb front axle, front frame extension, and 120,000psi frame.  One of the most valuable options available from Hino on the 338 model is Hino INSIGHT powered by WebTech Wireless, which is the most advanced, tailored, comprehensive telematics solution in the industry. INSIGHT is an enabler for fleets of all sizes to achieve sustainable competitiveness by driving fleet operational efficiencies, safety, security, customer satisfaction, and green initiatives.

About Hino:  Hino Trucks, a Toyota Group Company, assembles, sells, and services Class 4-7 conventional and cab over engine commercial trucks in the United States. The headquarters is located in Novi, Michigan and boasts a network of over 160 dealers nationwide committed to achieving excellence in customer service and support.  Hino Trucks is the premier medium duty nameplate in the United States with a product lineup that offers the lowest total cost of ownership, superior fuel economy, industry-leading environmental friendliness, unmatched reliability and maneuverability, and the most comprehensive bundle of standard features in the market.  For more information, visit our internet site at www.hino.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About ATD: Founded in 1970, the ATD division of the National Automobile Dealers Association is a national trade organization representing more than 2,000 dealers selling new medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information, visit www.atd.org.

SOURCE Hino Trucks