New holistic approach sees growth highest since 2008, maker says
Hino Australia has announced its best results in the past seven years with growth in local sales and market share.
The truck maker says it passed its 2015 sales goals with a 9.6 per cent year-on-year increase bringing the total trucks and buses sold to 4,443.
That figure is the highest it has reached since 2008 and has helped improve Hino’s market share among the top ten manufacturers by eight per cent.
A change in strategy by the company’s local arm has had the desired effect, Hino Australia chairman and CEO Steve Lotter says, pointing to a new focus on supporting the dealerships and enhancing the customer experience.
“It’s fantastic to be able to report our performance in 2015 and see that Hino outpaced the competition for market share growth,” Lotter says.
“We truly believe our new customer-focused business strategy has been the key to this success.”
This new mindset was spoken about in November by Lotter and Hino Australia senior divisional manager of brand and franchise development Bill Gillespie, who outlined a plan for the coming five years, starting with Hino Advantage.
The offering, which initially encompasses finance, customer care, servicing and parts, aims to provide customers with a long-term tailored connection to Hino.
“By investing in programs such as Hino Advantage we are working towards developing a business partnership that continues long after the truck is handed over,” Lotter says.
“We want to be a reliable business partner that delivers a great customer experience and a range of business advantages.”
Hino says it had strong and consistent sales across all truck segments, but particularly in the medium-duty market.
The Hino 500 Series saw the biggest market share increase, jumping from 27.7 per cent to 30.1 per cent over the year.
Also in the medium-duty segment, Hino topped the 8.0- to 10.5-tonne range on the back of new 920 and 921 models.
Growth also came in the 12- to 14-tonne market, thanks to the new FE Auto, and the 14.5- to 15.5-tonne segment with the FG range taking out the top spot.
In the light-duty market Hino says the numbers are above the five-year average, reaching 21.4 per cent market share.