A total $45 million boost planned to lift Australian commercial vehicle sector
Hino is optimistic that the brand will see nationwide growth in commercial vehicle sales and service this year leading it to make multi-million investments across its Australian dealership network.
The company has commissioned a new Newcastle Commercial Vehicles (NCV) Hino dealership in NSW’s Coffs Harbour and the expansion of its FRM Hino facility in Launceston, Tasmania, with a combined investment of approximately $5 million.
In addition to this, the company plans to inject funds worth up to $40 million across various other facilities during 2017.
Hino Australia GM brand and franchise development Bill Gillespie says these “strategic business plans” will improve customer experience across the network.
“The investment made by the whole dealer network shows strong confidence in the growth of the Hino brand nationwide.
“The network expansion is also a result of the growth of parts and service demands, demonstrating the effectiveness of our customer-focused Hino Advantage suite of business benefits.”
The proposed 4,300 sqare metre purpose-built NCV Hino facility just off the Pacific Highway near Coffs Harbour Airport.
NCV Hino GM Andrew Newell says the dealership will improve the availability of Hino vehicles, parts and service in northern NSW.
“This location is a huge opportunity to support light and medium truck businesses. The industry is exceptionally diverse in Coffs Harbour.
“The new facility will be dedicated to reducing downtime for drivers and businesses, with an eight bay workshop and a 24-hour on-call service team at hand.
“A vast storage area in our warehouse also allows us to ensure we have a readily available catalogue of parts at all times.”
The decision to expand Tasmania’s head office site came after another investment in Devonport branch, FRM Hino MD David Mills says.
“Since relocating to our new Devonport branch a year ago we have noticed a strong increase in business and all of our departments have been thriving.
“Revenue is up thanks to an increase in returned service customers, and we anticipate this will also be the trend for the upgraded Launceston branch.
“Plans are underway for similar renovations at our FRM Hino Hobart branch.
“The new facility will enable us to support customers with the same high level of quality, and at a much higher volume. We must live up to our reputation.”
FRM Hino is expected to be back in action in the coming days while the NCV dealership will open in the second quarter.