Hino Malaysia celebrated its 40th anniversary with a grand dinner on 10th November, 2017 at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.
40th Anniversary Celebration: Hino Malaysia Marks Milestone
The event was well attended by dealers, government representatives, MBM Resources Bhd members, shareholders, Hino Malaysia former managing directors, chairman and staff as well as the media.
“To date, Hino Malaysia has sold more than 80,000 vehicles in 40 years since 1977. As I see this number of sales, we are playing an essential role in the Malaysian economy. I am proud of Hino vehicles that have been running to sustain the development of the Malaysian economy,” said Yoshio Shimo, President and CEO of Hino Motors Ltd, Japan.
Hino Motors was established 75 years ago and Shimo was appointed the President of the company in June 2017.
Shimo revealed that he would like to evolve and deepen ‘Total Support’ for the Hino brand so that it could be loved and trusted for the next 25 years when it celebrated the 100th anniversary.
“Evolving ‘Total Support’ means to practise customised total support for each vehicle in operation. I would say it is the ultimate form of ‘Total Support’. I believe by pursuing this, we could be more trustworthy to customers; then we could eventually contribute to society broadly. Here in Malaysia, we have practised various activities to realise customised total support for each vehicle.”
In response to customers’ concerns and the support needed, he continued that Hino Total Support Customer Center (HTSCC) was the first such Hino facility outside Japan with its own test driving course. The centre facilitated the foundation of Total Support activities, starting with a revamp of the professional driver’s training curriculum. Thus, he expressed his confidence that Hino would support further development of the truck culture in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Ken Iwamoto, Managing Director of Hino Motor Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, gave a brief introduction on the company’s history and milestones.
In 1973, he said, Sarawak Motors Industries was appointed the franchise holder of Hino products in Malaysia and started with vehicle assembly and sales in Kuching. The market potential in Malaysia led to the establishment of Hino Malaysia Sdn Bhd in 1977 as a joint venture involving Sarawak Motors Industries, Toyo Menka Kaisha Ltd and Hino Motor Ltd, Japan. In 1980, the first Hino 3S dealer, Jong Seng Sdn Bhd, was appointed.
“We moved to our own premises, Wisma Hino Petaling Jaya, in 1982; the same building that we own and run our business today. 1983 and 1984 saw the launch of new Hino bus BX321 and Hino medium size trucks, GF and FF series. Hino Malaysia successfully achieved its first 10,000 vehicle sales in 1985. Hino vehicles were assembled at Assembly Services Sdn Bhd, Shah Alam from 1988 to 2014. Hino Malaysia started to grow in 1991 with the launch of new trucks, FG and SG series. Then, a new symbol mark and logo of Hino was introduced during Hino Malaysia’s 20th anniversary. In 2003, Hino entered into Malaysia’s Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) market.”
In 2008, he continued, the company launched the new 700 series (SH1E prime mover) and Hino achieved number one in overall market share for commercial vehicles. This led to numerous of awards in 2011 such as ‘Commercial Vehicle Company of the Year’ and ‘Super Excellent Brand of the Year’. A year later, Hino Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd changed its name to Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd when Hino Motors Manufacturing Malaysia (HMMMY) was established. In 2012, Hino was awarded ‘Truck of the Year’ for the 300 and 500 series and Hino held this honour for 3 consecutive years. Since the government’s enforcement of the new UNECE regulations in 2015, the entire Hino line-up introduced this year was compliant with this latest safety regulation.
Iwamoto added that the upgraded HTSCC had a circuit that was opened for commercial vehicle driver training. “This facility is equipped with more obstacles for endurance and technical skill tests as well as a maintenance service bay, an open space canteen and a gallery at the new HTSCC building.”
He also took the opportunity to launch the Hino 40th Anniversary Book, which was given as an event door gift, the first since its establishment.
“The objective of publishing the book is to put on record Hino’s milestones in the 40 years journey and as an inspiration to take the next quantum leap to achievements in the Malaysian market. It tells the story of Hino from beginning till now as a tribute to its four decades of hard work of the former managing directors, dealers, customers, our manufacturing hub and our staff,” he explained.
As a symbol of appreciation, Hino Malaysia awarded its former managing directors, executive directors and chairman. The company also recognised its staff of 10, 20 and 40 years with long service awards.
