Hino Malaysia Previews Poncho Low-Floor Minibus And 700 Series Truck With AMT At MCVE 2019
Hino Motors Sales Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HMSM) has the Poncho low-floor minibus on display at MCVE 2019 (Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo), from 20 – 22 June 2019 at the Malaysia International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC) in Seri Kembangan.
HMSM, which is part of the Toyota Group of Japan, is giving a preview of the Poncho minibus to gauge local market interest for this innovative community transport solution. This compact bus caters to the need for first and last mile travel and is suited for congested urban environments and campus settings.
In Japan, the Poncho’s ample capacity and small size makes it easy to ferry passengers through busy and tight city roads compared to larger buses; the Poncho is only 7 meters long, compared to conventional buses which are around 10 to 12 meters. The low floor of the Poncho, with kneeling function, enables easy accessibility, particularly for senior citizens and the disabled.
The Poncho has a Gross Vehicle Weight of 7,710 kg and is powered by a 5L J05D engine with output of 180 PS and 490 Nm of torque, paired with an automatic transmission. It has a 4×2 drive configuration and features air suspension and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
Also on display at HMSM’s booth are the Hino 300 Series light duty fully automatic truck and the 700 Series 6×2 prime mover with automated manual transmission which will be launched soon.
MCVE visitors can also take the opportunity to try out the Driver Aptitude Test (DAT) which is part of a training course available at the Hino Total Support Customer Center (HTSCC) – the Driver Aptitude Test and Safety Driver Training. The DAT is developed and localised by Yamato Transport Malaysia, which is owned by one of Japan’s leading logistics companies.
Such tests have been mandatory for commercial vehicle drivers in Japan since 1972 as one of the country’s measures to reduce the number of traffic accidents. The test results are known immediately so that the driver and trainer can evaluate the driver’s strengths and weaknesses.
