Hino proves its mettle for Shoprite

Shoprite has recently placed an order for another 38 Hino 700-Series truck tractors with Hino Midrand. Over the past three years, Shoprite has bought more than 130 Hino trucks of various sizes from the dealership.

Shoprite is now buying more of the larger and more powerful 700-Series models, which are said to be three to four kilometres per litre more economical than those of the opposition in this mixed operation. Most of the Hino trucks in the Shoprite fleet have automated manual transmission (AMT) gearboxes.

“A combination of the proven fuel economy of Hino trucks, linked to top class after-sales service, enables us to retain existing customers and to gain new business,” says dealer principal at Hino Midrand, Hennie de Villiers, who is responsible for overseeing all six Hino dealerships in the Bidvest McCarthy Group.

With 400 trucks operating out of its Midrand depot alone, the Shoprite fleet carries maximum loads of 24 t, but, on average, the cargo is between 15 and 18 t, carried on two- or three-axle semi-trailers. Each truck travels between 20 000 and 30 000 km a month with 30 000 km service intervals.

Shoprite’s back-up support from Hino Midrand includes on-site service centres at the Midrand and Durban depots, where the dealer provides the staff, a parts store and the necessary infrastructure.

“We are very aware that with the high costs related to operating trucking fleets in the current economic environment, top-class after-sales support is vital, as is keeping down the cost per kilometre,” explains De Villiers.

“For this reason, we now offer pre-booked servicing on weekdays until 20:00 and on Saturdays from 08:00 to 13:00.  We also have mobile service units based at our dealerships to provide on-site servicing when required.

“The team at Hino Midrand is very aware that providing top-quality service at reasonable cost is key to our future growth, and we are very proud that our efforts have resulted in our dealership being the reigning Hino Dealer of the Year. Now we are going all out to retain this coveted title for 2016,” De Villiers concludes.