Driving a Hino 700

The new big boy on the block is the Hino 700.My.Na Cars’ own passenger princess, Diana Master, was recently taken along on a test drive of this new extra heavy commercial vehicle, experiencing the significant technological improvements to safety and driver convenience it puts into practice. Already making a splash with its entrance into the Namibian market, the Hino 700 is designed to meet customer needs. Leading truck design meets world-class quality and reliability in the Hino 700, as Master describes the automobile.According to Craig Roberts, senior manager for product planning from Hino South Africa who was recently in the country to introduce the new Hino 700 range, the truck is designed to be everything customers need and more. From the newly designed three-dimensional grill, the 700 series stands out due to its technological advancements. These include radar and cameras as well as improved mirrors to ensure full visibility for drivers at all times. The third evolution of the electronic brake system works in conjunction with the built-in stability control and is more interactive than before. Improved torque from the engine provides better fuel economy, while driver assistance in the form of lane departure warning, a pre-collision system and adaptive cruise control has been taken to new heights.Total transport solutionOther value-added products include service, maintenance and warrantees to keep the business of trucking rolling along, with the Hino 700 being a total transport solution for owners, Roberts said. Apart from the flagship 450 horsepower models, the 700 series also comes in 410 horsepower variations, suitable for truck trailer, tipper and freight variations.The 16-speed ZF automated manual transmission allows drivers to seamlessly switch between manual and automatic gear selection on the fly. Meanwhile, the adaptive cruise control can be activated from 40km/h, whereafter the vehicle autonomously monitors and displays vehicles ahead of the Hino 700, applying sensors to automatically brake, accelerate and even stop the truck in emergencies. Short distance alerts are also included on the gauge cluster. Cutting-edge technologies are applied to safety features which can save lives, while drivers still remain in control at all times.Keeping drivers alertSignificant changes have been made to the cabin interior, Roberts pointed out. These include the panoramic dashboard housing the interactive instrument cluster and information display, the multi-functional steering wheel and the dedicated camera - in case drivers start to lose concentration. Error messages are accompanied by audible beeps to restore focus and keep drivers alert.The comfortable driver seat incorporates lumber support and 10 pneumatic settings for positional adjustment. The parking brake is easy to access and efficient to control, having been moved up from its previous position on the floor next to the driver seat. Likewise, the gear control is now a rotary knob, embodying a raft of changes to the cabin design ergonomics to specifically accommodate driver needs.Focus on drivers dominates the Hino 700, which is equipped with systems to rate performance and display feedback in real-time. The distinctive eco-tree display rates driving from zero to 10, while the use of the three driving modes is colour-coded: Blue for power, yellow for in-between, and green for efficient driving. With this, fleet management can access performance per trip, per day or per month, as the need might be, Roberts elaborated. Further, the improved mirror system includes an exterior front mirror mounted on an extension arm to provide a wider view and allow drivers to get the vehicle right up to the curb when necessary. In-house trainingAccording to Roberts, Hino South Africa provides Namibian customers with in-house driver training from local dealerships, and the option to send trainers out to owners in more remote locations. Training is also provided to local sales executives to orientate new owners and drivers to the all-new Hino 700's features and make them accustomed to the trucking experience of the future, which is available in Namibia today.

Driving a Hino 700

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-24

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Driving a Hino 700

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-24

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