Hino Motors makes minor changes in Hino Dutro light-duty truck line

- Advance compliance with amended safety standards of the Road Trucking Vehicle Law and expanded lineup -

Hino Motors, Ltd. (“Hino”) has brought the Hino Dutro*1 light-duty line of trucks into compliance ahead of schedule with the mandatory installation of rear underrun protection devices (rear bumpers) to be amended effective in September of this year and the amended illumination device safety standards (2006) effective in January of next year. It has also expanded the truck line through the establishment of new models, launching sales on April 28.

As one response to the amended safety standards, Hino took early steps to assure compliance with the partial amendment of the safety standards of the Road Trucking Vehicle Law. Since the installation of rear underrun protection devices, which is currently mandatory for trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 7 tons or more, will become mandatory for trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tons or more, large reinforced rear bumpers are being installed beginning with the release of new model vehicles.
An additional response is the incorporation of a headlamp beam angle adjustment function as standard equipment in all vehicles*2, thereby realizing compliance with the illumination device safety standards of 2006 while also improving product competitiveness.

In addition, new models that are being introduced include a hybrid model that offers low CO2 emissions and improved fuel consumption and a model equipped with electronic-control 6-speed AT (automatic transmission), thus facilitating driving ease. Wide view mirrors, a safety improvement that expands the driver’s field of view, are available as an option, providing a truck that will better serve the customer.

The new models being introduced comply with the New Short-Term Emission Regulations while the diesel engine trucks (vehicles equipped with DPR*3, hybrid vehicles and vehicles equipped with DPNR*4) also comply with the **** 85% reduction ranking in the Ultra-Low PM Emissions Diesel Vehicle Certification System of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT).

*1: Jointly developed with the Toyota Motor Corporation
*2: Vehicles with discharge headlamp systems maintain the beam at a fixed location in line with vehicle conditions.
*3: Diesel Particulate active Reduction system
*4: Diesel Particulate- NOx Reduction system


[1. Hino Dutro Features]

1.Compliance with amended safety standards
1) Compliance with the mandatory installation of underrun protection devices effective September 2005
(1) Installation of large reinforced rear bumpers on number 1 license plate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tons or more
2) Compliance with illumination device safety standards of 2006
(1) Fitted a function as standard equipment that appropriately adjusts the headlamp beam angle in line with vehicle conditions
(2) Installation of additional reflectors on both sides of the body of vehicles with a total length of more than 6m
(3) Improved visibility by changing the location of the rear combination lamp

2. Expanded in model variation
1) Introduction of new models including the Hino Dutro Hybrid with cumulative sales in excess of 1,000 units thanks to the strong support of our customers as the world’s first 2-ton class hybrid truck*5 and trucks equipped with electronic control 6-speed automatic transmissions realizing both driving ease and economical efficiency, thereby responding to a broader range of uses by the customer.

3. Wide view mirrors, which improve safety, available as an option (on the passenger side)
1) The newly developed wide view mirror, which combines a mirror that reflects an image of the rear of the vehicle with a size 1.5 times larger than traditional one and a mirror that reflects the left side of the vehicle, is offered as an option. It improves the visibility of the left side of the vehicle.

*5: Jointly developed with Toyota Motor Corporation and released simultaneously on the market in November 2003.