The popular Toyota Dyna light truck will in future be marketed as part of the Hino model range as the 200 Series. The previous Dyna 150 becomes the Hino 300-310, with the “3” denoting a 3-ton load capability while the “10” is a short form for the 100-horsepower engine. The reason for this change in identity is that responsibility for the former Dyna range has moved from Toyota into the Hino stable.
“The Dyna, which arrived in South Africa in 1965, was the first truck to be offered for sale by the fledgling Toyota South Africa, which was established in 1961,” explained Ernie Trautmann, Vice President of Hino SA. “Since then more than 50 000 Dynass have been sold in South Africa in an uninterrupted run of 56 years, making it one of the longest running vehicle nameplates on the local market.
“During this time, the Dyna has not only proved extremely popular in the medium truck segment, but it has also built up an enviable reputation for productivity, reliability and durability. Customer loyalty for this model is also very high. Currently one of the Dynas’s strongest selling points is the fact that it slots into the below 3 500 kg GVM category, which means the driver needs a B-type or Code 8 licence to drive it and not a full truck licence.”
The Hino 200 310 will continue to be sold in this classification category and changes to the truck from the Dyna are mainly cosmetic, being a Hino badge above the front grille, flanked by badges bearing the Hino name and 200 series designation, while the 310 model number will be a decal ion the leading edge of the lower section of the doors. The grille has been revised in line with Hino styling.
There is Hino branding on the steering wheel and the instrument panel has been redesigned for improved visibility and readability. It features a larger speedometer as the central focus with revised information and warning lights, together with an LCD monitor.
Two new, practical features for the Hino 200 are a reverse buzzer and the fitment of a Bluetooth radio which permits safer, handsfree use of a cellphone by the driver.
The powertrain remains unchanged with a normally aspirated 5-litre diesel engine that develops 66kW of power at 4 000 r/min and 192 N.m of torque at 2 000 r/min. A five-speed manual gearbox transfers power to the rear wheels.
“The Hino 200-310 will be offered by the countrywide network of Toyota dealers as well as the Hino truck dealers, as was the case with the Dyna,” concluded Trautmann.