After a three-year break, the Hino Smart Driving Contest marked its return recently.
Hino Promotes Smart Driving Programme
This competition is part of Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd’s efforts to promote its Hino Smart Driving Programme, hosted at the Hino Total Support Customer Center (HTSCC) in Sendayan.
The contest brought together 20 truckers from 11 different companies who went through the preliminary rounds in August.
“Today’s theme, ‘Challenge to Be the Best Driver to Transport Every Happiness for a Sustainable Future,’ resonates with our government’s vision. We aim to reduce road fatalities by half by the year 2030 as outlined in the Road Safety Plan 2022-2030. Driver training programmes, such as those offered by Hino Total Support Customer Centre, play an important role in achieving this goal. These courses equip drivers with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive safely and efficiently. With improved skills and awareness, we do hope that drivers understand and start practising safer driving to protect themselves as well as other road users,” said Anthony Loke, the Minister of Transport of Malaysia, in his speech.
The core objective of this contest was to evaluate and enhance the driving skills of truck drivers, particularly those handling Hino trucks. Participants engaged in a series of ‘exciting challenges and programmes’, which included practical tests. The event benefited from the state-of-the-art HTSCC, the first Hino training centre outside of Japan. This facility enables Hino truck drivers in Malaysia to hone their professional skills, with a specific emphasis on road handling, safety and fuel-efficient driving techniques.
Atsushi Uchiyama, Managing Director, Hino Malaysia, highlighted the dual purpose of the Hino Smart Driving Contest – recognising drivers’ achievements and boosting their company’s reputation. The comprehensive evaluation covered three key areas: practical driving skills, driver familiarisation with a focus on daily vehicle inspection and fuel-efficient economy driving.
Featuring seven practical sessions that included driving skills, the contest covered various tracks such as s-junction, garage parking, crank course, parallel parking, turn-back course, uphill/downhill and emergency braking on wet roads. The daily vehicle inspection required participants to complete a thorough check of the truck including engine, brakes, clutch, oil leakage, visibility, electrical equipment and tyres. Participants were also evaluated on fuel-efficiency driving techniques and consumption.
The one-day event awarded prizes in each category, including the Champion, 1st Runner-up, and 2nd Runner-up. The grand prize, known as the Overall Champion, included a trophy and cash incentive of RM5,000. In addition, the champion’s company received a RM5,000 service and parts voucher, the Champions Cup and a mock cheque. The total prize value for this contest was RM22,000.
Hino says it prioritises customer support through training in safe driving techniques and maintenance. Currently, the HTSCC provides driving training for Hino truck drivers. Future plans include opening the training centre for government and public agency use, with Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) claims available.
With more than 40 years in the country, Hino Malaysia adds that it is committed to not only increase sales performance but also enhance after-sales services through customer engagement programmes. Recently, the company extended the warranty for the Hino 300 Series from three years and 100,000 kilometres to five years and 200,000 kilometres to reinforce its after-sales support.
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