Hino Motors, Ltd. (Headquarters: Hino-shi, Tokyo; President and CEO: Satyakam Arya; hereinafter "Hino") will be competing as "HINO TEAM SUGAWARA" (Director: Teruhito Sugawara, General Manager: Makoto Wakimura) in Dakar Rally 2027 to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 1st to 15th, 2027.

Through the domestic dealership selected mechanic system, which has been in place since 1995 and has brought 67 mechanics from 32 companies to participate through the 2026 event (※1), three mechanics selected through a screening process based on applications from domestic dealerships across the country will join the team: Yoshihiko Yaginuma from Fukushima Hino Motors, Takahiro Takekoshi from Gifu Hino Motors, and Yuta Oka from Kagawa Hino Motors.

Leveraging the skills they have honed to provide thorough support for their customers' operations, these mechanics will support the team to keep the truck running without stopping until it reaches the finish line of this grueling race, which covers approximately 8,000 km of rough roads over 14 days with limited supplies and equipment.

For the 2027 event, the team will compete with a truck based on the 2026 vehicle (HINO600 Series), further refined and matured. By further refining the suspension upgrades that proved successful last year, we will stabilize the vehicle to allow the driver to confidently apply the throttle on rough terrain, with the aim of achieving higher average speeds throughout the rally.

Hino is determined to cross the finish line of what is known as the "world's most grueling" rally, bolstered by carefully selected mechanics from across the country, a truck that has been refined through repeated upgrades, and by achieving the highest level of total quality (total support quality × product quality). We will be taking on the challenge of the 36th Dakar Rally with the aim of achieving further growth and success for all involved in this event.



■Team Director and Driver: Teruhito Sugawara
While the team was able to feel a sense of promise in the 2025 and 2026 events, we were unable to achieve the results we desired due to troubles in the final stages of both races. The 2027 event will be Hino's first race as a member of the ARCHION Group. We aim to compete with an improved truck with enhanced durability and reliability, leveraging the team unity we have built over the years, and to achieve even higher rankings.

■General Manager: Makoto Wakimura
I am pleased to report our decision to participate in Dakar Rally 2027. While we completed the 2026 event, the results were not satisfactory. Since the end of the race in January this year, the team has been working with all its might to address the challenges we faced. With the three dealership selected mechanics joining us, the battle to demonstrate the technical skills they have cultivated through daily maintenance of customer vehicles and the superior durability and reliability of Hino trucks has already begun. We will work as one unified team, aiming for even higher rankings.


■Mechanic: Yoshihiko Yaginuma, Fukushima Hino Motors
I am honored and feel a strong sense of responsibility at being selected as a mechanic for HINO TEAM SUGAWARA. No matter the circumstances, I will not hesitate to apply the precise and reliable technical skills I have developed, coupled with flexible decision-making, to perform maintenance work. I am determined to push beyond my limits in the extreme environment of the Dakar Rally. With gratitude in my heart for my colleagues at Fukushima Hino Motors who enthusiastically supported my participation, I will make the most of this precious opportunity.

■Mechanic: Takahiro Takekoshi, Gifu Hino Motors
When I first saw the recruitment notice for the screening process, I hesitated to apply due to staffing constraints in my front office duties. However, with the understanding of my colleagues at the dealership and viewing this as my last chance, I decided to apply. When I received the selection results, I was delighted that my colleaguesin the front office, back office, and mechanics were even more thrilled than I was. With the strong support of my dealership colleagues, I am committed to living up to their expectations and contributing to HINO TEAM SUGAWARA's success with all my effort.

■Mechanic: Yuta Oka, Kagawa Hino Motors
I am deeply honored to take on the challenge of participating in the Dakar Rally, the world's most grueling stage, as a mechanic. This opportunity would not be possible without the constant support of my family and the company that has given me the chance to participate and cheered me on. Thank you. With this gratitude in my heart, I am committed to working alongside the team members selected for this event, never giving up even in the harshest conditions, and giving my utmost to achieve our 36th consecutive finish by demonstrating the technical skills and experience I have developed. I will do my best to repay their support through our success.

　

Fukushima Hino Motors　Yoshihiko Yaginuma

Gifu Hino Motors　Takahiro Takekoshi　

Kagawa Hino Motors　Yuta Oka

In addition to coverage during the Dakar Rally 2027, we will be providing various updates in the months leading up to the event, so please stay tuned.

<HINO TEAM SUGAWARA>
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■Route Map

Source:　Official website of the Dakar Rally

The start and finish will be at King Abdullah Economic City on the west coast of Saudi Arabia along the Red Sea. The course layout will take a large counterclockwise loop around the western side of Saudi Arabia, with loop stages, marathon stages, and rest days interspersed throughout.

(※1) Dealerships that have undergone name changes due to mergers or other reasons are counted as one company under their current name, and mechanics who have participated multiple times are counted as one individual.

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