On 17 January, the Dakar Rally 2025 took place on its final day in Shuvaita in southeastern Saudi Arabia, followed by a finish ceremony in the bivouac there. Hino Team Sugawara, who competed in the truck division as a HINO600, moved up one spot from the previous day to finish 13th in the same category, extending Hino's Dakar participation activity to 34 consecutive finishes for the first time since its first participation in the Dakar in 1991.

Shuvaita is located at one end of the Empty Quarter of the Rub Al Khali Desert, a series of soft sand dunes. Dakar, which moved to Saudi Arabia, set up a difficult stage in the same place every time as a highlight of the tournament. The final three rounds of the tournament were held on the loop course at the Schweita base.

The 16th was particularly tough, but the dunes-friendly team of Teruhito Sugawara, Hirokazu Somemiya, and Yuji Mochizuki ran smoothly in 2~6th place against their larger rivals. However, with 20km to go, the transfer malfunctioned again and he was stuck at the top of the dunes. After having the other entrants tow it to the flat ground, the occupants tactfully removed the transfer on the spot by themselves, and connected the propeller shaft for the transfer ~ front axle directly to the gearbox to make it rear-wheel drive. We succeeded in escaping from the dunes safely. After completing the SS, the HINO600 was towed back to the bivouac around 24 o'clock by the team's assistance truck, which met on the paved road of the liaison (moving section).

The mechanics, led by Seiichi Suzuki, worked all night to repair the center differential and oil pump in the transfer, which were damaged again. The third transfer repair was a race against the race time, as the remaining parts were quite limited, and the time back to the bivouac was late. From Japan, we provided support every day and night in a wide range of fields such as data analysis according to local time. It was worth it, and HINO600 successfully competed in the competition on the final day.

The 16th was particularly tough, but the dunes-friendly team of Teruhito Sugawara, Hirokazu Somemiya, and Yuji Mochizuki ran smoothly in 2~6th place against their larger rivals. However, with 20km to go, the transfer malfunctioned again and he was stuck at the top of the dunes. After having the other entrants tow it to the flat ground, the occupants tactfully removed the transfer on the spot by themselves, and connected the propeller shaft for the transfer ~ front axle directly to the gearbox to make it rear-wheel drive. We succeeded in escaping from the dunes safely. After completing the SS, the HINO600 was towed back to the bivouac around 24 o'clock by the team's assistance truck, which met on the paved road of the liaison (moving section).

The mechanics, led by Seiichi Suzuki, worked all night to repair the center differential and oil pump in the transfer, which were damaged again. The third transfer repair was a race against the race starting time, as the remaining parts were quite limited, and the time back to the bivouac was late. From Japan, we provided support every day and night in a wide range of fields such as data analysis according to local time. It was worth it, and HINO600 successfully competed in the competition on the final day.

The stage of the day will be 70km east of the bivouac by liaison, and from there the 62km SS will return to the bivouac to take the podium. At the start, 15 two-wheeled vehicles and five four-wheeled vehicles started at the same time. Even though the final stage is short, most of the road surface is over sand dunes, and the risk of getting stuck is high. HINO600 entered the same section as a part-time 4WD with a restored transfer and finished 123rd in the 4-wheel category and 13th in the track category. As a result, the cumulative ranking was 97th overall for all four-wheelers, and the 13th place in the truck category was confirmed.

Teruhito Sugawara
We would like to express our gratitude to all those who have supported and cheered us on this participation. I ran the last SS with that feeling. There were a lot of things, but I think it was a good experience for the whole team, as the mechanics did their best in the cold.

Hirokazu Somemiya
Last night, with 20km to go, the transfer broke and got stuck, the time was over and the time control was already closed. After checking with the organizers, we went directly to the pavement after the repair and returned. This time, the problems were concentrated in the second half, and thanks to the hard work of the mechanics, we managed to finish the race. I feel that the overall strength of the team as a whole is definitely improving.

Yuji Mochizuki
Last night was difficult, but after returning to the bivouac, the mechanics worked hard to make repairs in time, and I was able to start the race. I am an employee of Hino Motors, and I am grateful that I was able to continue the activities of Dakar under difficult circumstances.

Takayuki Monma
There were too many things in the Dakar Rally, but I'm really glad that everyone was able to finish in good spirits. There were times when I thought I couldn't do it anymore, but I think it was thanks to our teamwork that we were able to overcome it without giving up until the end.

Seiichi Suzuki
The first half was easy, but the second half was difficult. The transfer may not have enough torque capacity for the current low-range usage.

Koji Yoshikawa
The third time I had trouble with the transfer, there were no parts, and it was quite severe. I was relieved to be able to reach the goal. It was a Dakar rally with a great sense of fulfillment.

Soichiro Kashiwaya
I quickly got used to the site and had no problems with the work, but it was cold and difficult on rainy nights. The second half of the game was hectic.

Souken Sho
I got busy around the rest day, and I realized once again that this is the Dakar Rally. It feels like it started with a transfer and ended with a transfer.

Chihumi Uehara
The Dakar Rally was tougher than I had imagined. I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, both good and bad. I really wanted to run without any trouble.

Rumi Ando
There were strong winds, cold and rain in the bivouac, but our trailer was well insulated and comfortable. In this year's Dakar, trailers played an active role in particularly difficult times.

Mayumi Kezuka
Here in Schweita, the radio wave environment is poor in the middle of the desert, and last night I couldn't contact the site, so I didn't know what to do for a while. I would like to make use of my experience in the future.

Shun Konnai
I had a hard time with the troubles, but I felt the greatness of the mechanics. Last night, I went to the rescue and I think I was able to gain valuable experience.