Hino Australia has added an Allison fully automatic transmission model to its popular FE 500 Series lineup to boost the versatility and appeal of its medium-duty truck range

SYDNEY - For Hino Australia, matching an Allison 2500 fully automatic transmission to its J07E-TN engine has enabled FE models to do the work of larger vehicles, while also offering greater accessibility to a wide range of drivers.

All Allison Automatics feature the latest 5th Generation Electronic Controls, with architecture built around the advantages of a converter that multiplies available torque and maximizes efficiency. Lock up technology also adds to efficiency and productivity advantages, while Allison's Continuous Power Technologyâ„¢ allows for uninterrupted power to the drive wheels.

The 500 Series FE 1426 Auto has a 14-ton gross vehicle weight and is able to carry payloads previously reserved for larger vehicles in a more agile and economic package. Hinos equipped with an Allison 2500 feature a patented torque converter with a stall ratio of 1.58:1 which effectively increases launch torque by over 50 percent. This ensures that the Hino can use a relatively high first gear ratio of 3.5:1 (compared with the manual transmission first gear ratio of 6.5:1) allowing closer ratios up to the overdrive 0.74:1 fifth gear.

Hino chose the Allison transmission because it met stringent quality, durability and reliability requirements, while delivering a smooth, user-friendly driver experience and the ability to maintain optimum engine speeds for increased efficiency. Steve Lotter, chairman and CEO of Hino Australia said the launch of the 500 Series FE 1426 Auto demonstrates Hino's commitment to offering increased product choices and is an important part of the brand's push toward more automatic transmission models.

"The market has been demanding more 'two pedal' options in light- and medium-duty truck lines, and Hino has responded with an increased number of automatic transmission choices," said Lotter. "The 500 Series FE Auto brings a very well-rounded package to the market and allows fleets access to a larger pool of drivers. It also has the potential to reduce maintenance costs that may be incurred with drivers who are less experienced with manuals."

Available in a single-cab configuration with short, medium, long and extra-long wheelbases (from 3750 mm to 5500 mm), all are equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions, vastly increasing the vocational potential of these trucks from refuse and street sweeping to distribution and logistics. Hino and Allison have calibrated the shift points to cater to a wide array of vocational applications by delivering maximum drivability and efficiencyacross the entire operating spectrum.

"The 500 Series FE Auto is what we would like to call a 'smart truck,' as it is capable of carrying payloads usually reserved for our FG and GH models, but in a lighter, more nimble and cost-effective package," said Lotter. "We believe it is the right truck for this sector of the Australian truck market, and we expect it to do great things for Hino and our customers."

Allison has a long relationship with Hino and over the years has forged a close and mutually beneficial partnership in Australia, as evidenced by the ever expanding range of Allison Automatics in the market.

About Allison Transmission
Allison Transmission (NYSE: ALSN) is the world's largest manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehiclesand is a leader in hybrid-propulsion systems for city buses. Allison transmissions are used in a variety of applications including refuse, construction, fire, distribution, bus, motorhomes, defense and energy. Founded in 1915, the company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA and employs approximately 2,700 people worldwide. With a market presence in more than 80 countries, Allison has regional headquarters in the Netherlands, China and Brazil with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Hungary and India. Allison also has approximately 1,400 independent distributor and dealer locations worldwide. For more information, visit allisontransmission.com.

For more information

Holly Zhang
Allison Transmission Asia Pacific holly.zhang@allisontransmission.com
+86 (10) 6468-6800 ext. 8818
Room 319, Block C, Guomen Building
#1 Zuo Jia Zhuang, Chaoyang District
Beijing 100028, China