Hino’s got your back

Hino SA is offering peace of mind like never before – and setting a new industry standard – with its announcement of one of the most comprehensive warranties for extra-heavy trucks in South Africa.

“According to our research, this is one of the most comprehensive warranties in this segment of the South African truck market,” says vice president of Hino SA, Dr Casper Kruger.

Prior to the introduction of the latest, much improved offering, warranty cover for the 700 Series was one year/unlimited kilometres, with a powertrain warranty of 24 months or 300 000 km. This has been taken up to three years/unlimited kilometres for on-road applications and two years/unlimited kilometres for off-road operations.

“When we launched HinoCare last year, we said we would be looking to upgrade the offering over time – and the much-improved warranty on the 700 Series extra-heavy truck range is a further step down this path of continually finding ways to improve customer satisfaction and the ownership experience in South Africa,” says Kruger. Hino has adjusted its previous idea of warranty and is now offering cover for the entire vehicle.

Dewald Olivier, senior manager for marketing, product planning and customer service at Hino SA, explains how, in a typical instance, the entire vehicle is covered for one year, with only the major driveline components covered for a further specified period. Olivier says Hino has complete confidence in its products, hence the introduction of the comprehensive two- and three-year warranty periods.

Alternative brands offer added years of warranty on the drive component only, making this new warranty a better form of cover for the entire vehicle.

Kruger explains that the new warranty for premium trucks is the latest addition to the range of HinoCare offerings, and a further demonstration of the company’s aim to satisfy customers, particularly in areas that contribute to a reduction in operating costs and provide peace of mind for fleet owners.

The HinoCare brand incorporates all aftersales activities, including warranties and improvement of service intervals. The 24-hour, 365-days-a-year call centre ensures that the customer will be back on the road in the shortest time possible. Included in this programme is a network of towing and recovery specialists, and service and maintenance plan options are available.

The HinoCare team aims to be behind its customers in any situation. “Hino dealers, parts departments and service centres are fully equipped to handle all claims,” says Olivier. The time it will take to do a repair will obviously depend on the nature of the overhaul, and Olivier assures FOCUS that there are no delays in the event of warranty repairs.

The HinoCare initiative was launched last September and has found favour among current and potential customers, predominantly thanks to its contribution to improving those all-important cost per kilometre figures. The lower operating costs are mainly due to the introduction of Hino Genuine Motor Oil, which permits the doubling of oil change intervals and therefore cuts service downtime.

Customer requirements tend to be widely varied, particularly within the transport industry, which is why Hino has introduced a range of service and maintenance plans that can be tailored by the dealer to meet the individual customer’s specific needs.

Hino also offers a 12-month warranty on any genuine Hino replacement part purchased. The company’s plans are setting the Hino brand apart, and its comprehensive warranty on the entire vehicle for the initial two- or three-year period must have other manufacturers quaking in their boots.