If you folks have been following Motoring-Malaysia's YouTube Channel, you'd already know that I had recently uploaded the preview of the Hino Poncho low-floor minibus at the Malaysian Commercial Vehicle Expo 2019 held over at MIECC in Kuala Lumpur recently. Hino's Malaysian subsidiary, Hino Motors Sales Malaysia had participated in the expo in a big way and displayed a few of their vehicles, namely the Hino Poncho minibus as well as a preview of the upcoming Hino 700 Series Prime Mover AMT.
Hino Malaysia had taken advantage of the fact that the biennial MCVE is the largest commercial vehicle expo in Southeast Asia and displayed their vehicles. They displayed the super cute Hino Poncho minibus, the 300 Series Light Duty Truck and the 700 Series Prime Mover with AMT which will soon be launched very soon. The Poncho minibus has not been launched here in Malaysia as yet but this is a preview to gauge its popularity as well as an announcement that the bus will be put on trial by a few companies and also by Prasarana, the Malaysian government agency in charge of public transport.
Starting with the Poncho bus, it is designed as an innovative community transport solution. It has been on sale for many years over in Japan and it is also offered for sale in Australia by Hino. The Poncho is super cute (I said it again) and is styled with a mix of retro and contemporary looks. The super Japanese looking retro front end it mixed with a large glasshouse area which makes it both modern, cute and retro at the same time. I personally love looking at this bus as it would definitely brighten up any urban setting with its looks.
There are over 2,500 Poncho minibuses already in service. Mostly in Japan and they offer the best-fit bus product for densely packed urban centers. The minibus also has a low floor chassis which is fitted with air suspension so that it can actually be adjusted to fit the pedestrian curbs and make it easy for the aged and the disabled wheelchair bound people to enter and exit the bus easily (by means of a small ramp when needed). It is small yet can carry about 21 passengers and that wheel at each end means the turning radius should be excellent. Coupled with a turbocharged diesel engine located at the rear, the rear wheel driven and automatic transmission fitted minibus is so suitable for urban environments.
Go watch the video above as more details including specifications and interior shots are described therein.
Aside from that, Hino quietly displayed a single 700 Series 6x2 Prime Mover. However this was a little different in that is features an Automated Manual Transmission inside it. As I have said in a recent article featuring another Japanese truck maker which launched their AMT Prime Mover at MCVE 2019, Automated transmissions are finally making its way into Japanese heavy duty trucks. This 700 Series is another proof that they are now willing to try it out for the Malaysian market.
The Hino 700 Series 6x2 was recently updated earlier this year with a liftable rear axle for more fuel efficiency when the extra wheels are not needed. Now with this AMT gearbox, it will actually enable the 700 to be even more fuel efficient. An AMT is a transmission with an electronically operated clutch. Instead of the driver operating a foot clutch during gear changes, a control unit will operate a mechanical arm (or that sort) to clutch in and out automatically. This actually makes the truck more efficient on a consistent basis as drivers sometimes may hold gears longer than necessary causing unnecessary fuel wastage as the engine speed is kept high.
Aside from that, it also will allow the driver to just concentrate on driving without the need of thinking about what gear to be in. This will actually lessen driver fatigue in the long run. The driver will be able to drive without feeling tired earlier. It could make productivity higher in the long run too as well as lowering clutch and transmission wear as the clutch is used properly by a computer instead of a driver who may like riding the clutch during gear changes. So with this preview, we know that Hino is now keen on bringing their AMT equipped prime movers for the Malaysian market.
This is a splendid idea!!!
Aside from displaying their vehicles, Hino Malaysia also displayed their recently launched Driver Aptitude Test (DAT) which is specially made for and with Yamato Transport Malaysia. This is a new driver training course conducted at the Hino Total Support Customer Center over in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan. The new test was officially developed in Japan but localised for Yamato Malaysia's drivers. The showcase also shows Hino's commitment to promoting road safety here in Malaysia.
Hino Malaysia is one of the manufacturers that have invested heavily in Malaysia and they have also given back in terms of job creation and the promotion of road safety. As part of the Toyota Group which has many investments here in Malaysia, the company is a good example of coming out with innovative transport solutions which are cost effective and also safe for everyone to use.
Their showcase at the recent MCVE 2019 was quite a good mix of things that will be launched and also what they have today. An interesting display indeed.
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