• What are believed to be among the first Hino
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7.5tonners to operate on the UK mainland are now running with public works contractor James Tobin.
The four FD Series rigids have 123kW (165hp) naturallyaspirated, six-cylinder engines and five-speed gearboxes.
The Northern Irelandregistered Hinos were supplied by Hino main dealer TBF Thompson of Garvagh and fitted with steel dropside bodies by Kelly of County Kildare.
The FD Series, like the Hino six and eight-wheelers and tractors sold in Britain, is assembled in Eire by J Harris (Assemblers).
Hino plans to launch a 7.5tonner in mainland Britain "early next year". But Harris UK's boss, Brendan Fitzgerald, says it will be either an FB or FC, not the FD. Tobin's FD models have been downplated from their normal 10-tonne GVW to 7.5 tonnes.
While mainland operators will have to wait until 1990 for the Japanese non-HGV rigid, within two months they should be able to try out a new lightweight Hino six-wheeler — the 160kW (215hp) GS chassis, which features a different cab to the current 181kW (243hp) FS271 FD six-legger, tested by CM in March.
The lighter GS 6x4 will be offered especially for mixer applications, reinforcing Hino's strength in the tipper and construction sectors.
Along with the GS chassis, Harris UK might also introduce the long-awaited Hino 17tonner, which is likely to feature a similar driveline to the GS 6 x 4 model.
limo's exports rose by 18% in the year to the end of March, with pre-tax profits jumping 67.4% to £74 million, on turnover up 19.3% to £2.41 billion.