Hino South Africa (SA) has upgraded its 300-Series medium truck range, while adding some new features and realigning the model mix.

The range now offers 13 derivatives, with a body and payload capability of between 3 390 kg and 5 950 kg, basically covering the 2.5 t, 3 t and 4 t markets.

The Hino 300-Series is used in various applications, including cash-in-transit, express and overnight deliveries, refrigerated cargo transportation, and the bakery industry.

The crew cabs have proved especially popular with construction companies and municipalities.

The big news for 2021 is that a six-speed, fully automatic transmission is now available across the 300-Series range, whereas previously it was only available on certain models, following limited introduction in 2015.

This option of an automated transmission is now extended to the 714 Crew Cab, 916 LWB and 916 Crew Cab models.

Manual gearboxes are still available, with some models making use of a six-speed unit, while others retain the five-speed unit (with revised and optimised ratios).

Another improvement on models using the manual transmission is the fitment of hill-assist to stop the truck from rolling backwards when pulling off on an incline.

The fuel tank size for the 916 models has also been expanded from 100 ℓ, to 150 ℓ.

Externally, the Japanese truck maker has added daytime running lights and revised front grille panels on all the 300-Series models, while narrow cab models sport new headlamps and changes to the front bumper.

Inside the cab, changes include a revised instrument panel with a larger, easier-to-read speedometer and tachometer.

The radio with Bluetooth functionality adds to the safety features, with its hands-free capability.

“We are incredibly pleased that we now have an updated and revised Hino 300-Series range, aimed at meeting the varied customer requirements in many operating situations in South Africa,” says Hino SA VP Ernie Trautmann.

“We believe we now offer a complete transport solution in the medium-truck market segment.”

The Hino 300-Series is assembled at the Hino plant in Durban.