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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
AUGUST
2017
48
TRUCKING
It has not only been top in the combined score
for 10 quarters, but has also been top in the
Service and Parts categories for 10 quarters,
while ranking second in the Sales category
following the latest survey in the second
quarter of 2017.
Hino had a combined score of 97,46 for
sales, service, and parts, compared to an
industry average of 92,91 for the 17 brands
surveyed quarterly by Scott Byers. The
Service rating was 97,42 compared to the
industry average of 92,07 while Parts rated
96,46 compared to the average of 91,57. Hino
placed second in Sales with a score of 98,49,
compared to the industry average of 91,31.
Hino performed particularly strongly in the
Parts category, gaining top scores in all eight
comparative aspects of Parts supply surveyed.
“We are very proud to have achieved a 10
th
consecutive quarter as the highest ranked truck
brand in South Africa in terms of customer
satisfaction, but we are certainly not going to
rest on our laurels,” said Ernie Trautmann, the
Vice President of Hino SA.
“We realise that customer satisfaction is a
moving target and generally, in South Africa,
the movement is upward in terms of the Scott
Byers scores. This means we must continue
to try even harder to satisfy the needs of our
customers to retain our leading position.
“A great deal of credit for our ability to
improve our scores in recent years is due to the
implementation of the international Hino Total
Support programme. This involves building and
maintaining strong relationships between Hino
Japan, Hino South Africa, our suppliers and the
Hino dealer network to ensure our customers
have a partner they can trust to deliver,”
explained Trautmann.
UD Trucks employees from the company’s head office and its assembly plant in
Rosslyn recently celebrated the end of an era, as the last unit of the legendary
UD55 to UD100 Medium Duty range came off the line early in June. This series has
now been replaced by the new Croner MDT range, which is now assembled at the
Rosslyn plant.
During the early post-1994 days, the requirements for local content changed and
the then Nissan Diesel planned to replace the Medium Duty range known as the CM
Range. It consisted of seven variants ranging from the CM19 to the CM16. Fitted
with ADE engines and Astas transmissions, the plan was underway to replace them
with the all new A520 range.
The range was originally launched in 1997 with FE6-series engines and the MLS-
and MPS-series of Nissan Diesel transmissions. During its lifespan, the A520 to
A899 range went through three major facelifts.
“The UD55 to UD100 range served our customers loyally for more than 20 years,”
said Gert Swanepoel, managing director of UD Trucks Southern Africa. “This is
one product range that we can truly say is a legend in its own time. It consistently
achieved more than 20% market share in its segment and also spent a good many
years as the top selling MDT in the local industry.”
With more than 20 723 units sold since its launch, there are still approximately
75% of these still in operation – evidence of its durability and appeal in the market.
“A few of our staff that are currently working on the assembly line, where also
present when the original range was introduced,” said Aubrey Rambau, Rosslyn
Plant general manager. “So not only are we celebrating a legendary series, but also
our legendary staff who have ensured the range’s ongoing quality and success.
Setting the pace
Hino South Africa and its 66 dealers
have notched up their 10
th
consecutive
quarter as the top-ranked truck
brand in South Africa in terms of the
Scott Byers Comparative Customer
Satisfaction Monitor.
Ernie Trautmann, the vice president of Hino SA.
Celebrating a legendary truck range
“So not only are we celebrating a legendary series, but also
our legendary staff who have ensured the range’s ongoing
quality and success.”
The new Croner range.