Today’s Pickup: Hino to build Class 8 truck

Good day,

Hino Trucks will expand its product offerings to include Class 8 vehicles, starting in 2019, the company said this week.

The company, primarily known for its medium-duty trucks in the U.S., will invest $100 million into a West Virginia plant to expand production capabilities. Hino Motors Manufacturing is a Toyota company.  The plant, in Mineral Wells, WV, will also house cab assembly, an operation currently conducted in Japan. 

“The new plant, which is four times the size of our current plant, will allow us to combine several assembly operations under one roof which will provide significant efficiency gains” noted Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A. President, Takashi Ono.

The plant will produce Hino’s current lineup of conventional trucks as well as a new line of Class 7 and 8 trucks. The truck will be powered by Hino’s proven A09, 9L engine. Already sold in many other markets around the world, the Hino A09 engine will have a horsepower range from 300-360. Hino is planning a public reveal of the new truck at the 2018 NTEA Work Truck Show. 

“These are truly exciting times for Hino in the U.S. Our growth and customer acceptance in the Class 4-7 market are enabling us to introduce wider variety of products” stated Yoshinori Noguchi, CEO of Hino North America.

Did you know?

The inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show this week in Atlanta was expected to attract more than 10,000 attendees with more than 5,000 people registered at exhibitors and not counted in that total.

Quotable:

“For shippers who treated carriers as partners during the 2015/2016 timeframe, it appears as though most carriers are willing to work with shippers to build rate increases into 2018 budgets so that rates can be adjusted upward upon the expiration of contracts currently in force. We expect these rate increases to be in the mid-single digit range. Those shippers that were excessively aggressive in demanding price reductions when supply exceeded demand, will not be extended this courtesy.”

– John Larkin, Stifel

In other news:

Second-quarter GDP adjusted upward

The Commerce Department increased its second-quarter GDP figures with the figure now set at a 3.1% annual rate. (Wall Street Journal)

China approves UPS joint venture

Regulators in China have approved a joint venture between UPS and SF Express to provide international shipping from China to the U.S. (Logistics Management)

Daimler to test platoons in Oregon, Nevada

Daimler Trucks North America will test platooning technology in Oregon and Nevada, following official approval from state officials. (Automotive Logistics)

OOIDA continues push to delay ELD mandate

Drivers group OOIDA continues to push for a delay in the ELD rule, sending a letter to U.S. House members signed by 31 other organizations opposed to the mandate. (CCJ)

US Bank introduces quarterly index

US Bank will begin reporting a quarterly index on freight activity based on information submitted by companies that use its services. (DC Velocity)

Final Thoughts

Hino Trucks will introduce a Class 7 and 8 vehicle in 2019. Expected to have its public reveal next spring at the NTEA Work Truck Show, the vehicle will enter a crowded landscape with established players. It will be interesting to see how Hino positions the model for success.

Hammer down everyone!