Matatu Owners Association Chairman Simon Kimutai stamps the newly launched Hino fleet solutions package looking on is Toyota Managing Director Satchio Yotsukura and Invesco Insurance COO Japheth Omare
Nairobi Kenya, After a comprehensive redesign, Toyota Kenya Limited yesterday unveiled its modern flagship showroom, at the firm’s headquarters along Mombasa Road. Legendary motor enthusiasts joined VIPs and fans of the renowned Japanese brand at the inaugural event hosted at the new facility.
The facelift has seen an aggressive interior and exterior overhaul in line with Toyota Motor Corporation’s international guidelines. The innovative facility promises an international shopping experience with world-class retail ambience and personalized interaction with customers, making the entire buying experience truly enjoyable. The facility will feature a functional and differentiated space for new and used cars vehicle displays complete with a state of the art delivery area. Notable features include; a larger customer lounge with a café and children’s’ corner, intimate negotiating pods, VIP meeting facilities and an overall modernized store look and feel. In his inaugural speech Naoki Takeuchi, Managing Director Toyota Kenya recounted Toyota’s concerted efforts to transform its’ total customer experience. “This showroom design is based on Toyota’s global standard. When customers come to our showroom, yes they want to see and buy cars, but mostly they desire a special experience. Purchasing a car is a special moment; it is not something you do daily. So, we at Toyota would like to provide our customers with an overwhelming experience, as well as a consistent commitment to quality,” Takeuchi said. “The future of Kenya is promising especially with a growing young population, high education standards, a stable market and the government commitment towards Vision 2030. We would like to contribute to the development of Kenya through investment and provision of comprehensive automotive services,” Takeuchi added. To complement new showroom opening, Toyota Kenya also announced its largest sales campaign dubbed “Tunawashukuru”. During the campaign period every new Toyota model purchased, customers will receive one year free maintenance service and the most favorable interest rate available in today’s market with flexible down payments and structured monthly payments. In addition, Toyota Kenya will further offer free comprehensive insurance for one full year on our flagship models, the Hilux and the Land Cruiser pick-up. In attendance during the showroom launch was Dr. Johannes Van Zyl Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation and Mr. Sachio Yotsukura General Manager Toyota Tsusho Corporation who applauded Toyota Kenya for the iconic milestone. The new showroom opening is in line with the firm’s aggressive expansion plan targeted at bringing services closer to the people. Notable recent additions include; Westlands Toyota Branch and Toyota Kenya Limited Gigiri Liaison office. Both seek to lender prompt services to the community. Toyota Kenya is also keen on launching Hino Truck & bus CKD assembly and distribution, new central parts depot, new Vehicle logistic center, and a new comprehensive training center for Toyota employees and the public.Toyota Kenya, renowned for its leadership across all car segments earlier in the year announced a model extension to include a trucks and bus segment. The extension would see the introduction of Hino, the leading truck & bus brand in Japan.The trucks and buses are assembled at the Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) in Mombasa. The Assembly plant targets to produce an estimated 200 trucks and buses a month for supply across the country and East Africa by the end of 2015.
Hino Range
Today, six months after launch, Hino has established a significant market share, their flagship product popularly known as Hino FC 500 has been launched across all counties in Kenya. Hino FC 500 a 9.9.Ton Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is available as a 41, 46 or 51-seater bus or truck.
Hino Solution Package Launched
Hino, is guided by a ‘customer business first’ philosophy, a commitment that has borne ‘Hino Fleet Solution Package’ a product targeted at fleet owners across Kenya. Hino Fleet Solutions Package is designed to efficiently manage the entire fleet life cycle promoting safety and minimizing operating costs. The package brings together a pre-vetted list of suppliers, offering the best in class service at pre-negotiated rates. The chassis will be available from Hino (Toyota Kenya commercial division) at a special price, quality bodies of any configuration will be offered from Truck World, competitive insurance package from AON and Invesco, Financing and leasing from Alios and Tsusho Capital, advanced tracking system from Frotcom, Tire Management from Auto Express while fuel/lubricants will be available from Total (at a discount off the ERC set pump price).
Since inception Hino has received notable customer support, this success is attributed to the firm’s commitment to build truck and buses with unmatched quality. Hino units have quality engines for optimal power output and unmatched fuel efficiency. Off-shore and local tests have proven that Hino has the best fuel efficiency compared to other market offerings.
Additionally Hino quality chassis, power train and suspension system is tropicalized for the Kenyan terrain.Hino will handle rough terrain; high and low altitudes steep climbing, sharp maneuvers with unmatched ease.
Genuine Parts
Hino units are built with genuine parts to ensure a 7500kms service interval. Further the firm now boasts of mobile service trucks complete with spare parts available across the country for breakdown rescue particularly to minimize truck downtime. Currently the trucks and buses come with an attractive warranty of 100,000 kilometers or 24 months, whichever comes first Additionally Hino’s power train that includes; engine, transmission, propeller shaft and differentials come with an extended warranty of 150km or 24 months.
Attractive Financing Options
Hino has in addition crafted attractive financing options for all customers through their in-house financier Tsusho Capital and other recognized financial institutions in the country. Hino comes to the market at very opportune moment; a lot of work has been done to prepare Kenya to be the country to watch in the near future. Hino wants to be part of that journey in trucks and buses segment especially to complement Toyota leadership in the passenger vehicle segment.Hino trucks and buses are currently in stock at the respected Millennium Dealers Limited in Meru, Esso motors in Nanyuki, United Millers in Kisumu, Hino Kericho and Truck World Limited in Nakuru. Hino is also available across all Toyota branches and dealerships.
CSR
Hino recognizes employment and local investment as key complement to the country’s economic goals. To this end the firm aims to create employment at the local assembly plant while encouraging skills development as supported by Japanese leading engineers. Hino has also introduced “Eco-driving" classes across the country as a part of its endeavors to contribute to the environment and customers. The classes aim at teaching driving skills that consider the environment and contribute profitability of customers businesses.
Move projected to increase sale of trucks and buses due to agricultural and transport based economic activities
Nairobi, April 2013... Hino, a division of Toyota Kenya has made a foray into Central Rift by opening a dealership in the fast growing Nakuru town, whose economic activities include agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. The dealership comes as a result of a partnership agreement with Truck World Limited who are to invest an estimated Kshs250 million by 2015.
Truck World Ltd, the new home of Hino in Nakuru is equiped with a modern assembly factory for local body building and servicing. The dealership will now also feature a new modern Hino truck and buses showroom.
“Today marks a significant milestone for Truck World as well as the entire Rift region as Hino trucks and buses are officially unveiled. Our desire to invest in this partnership is borne out of our commitment to the growth of this region, ” said Amrik Bhogal Managing Director Truckworld Limited at the offical commisioning of the dealership. “Nakuru transport operators, fleet owners and farmers have embraced Hino trucks and buses due to their reliability as a transport partner.We are therefore very confident that our decision to set up this dealership will prove to be a sound business decision. With this dealership, customers will be able to access new trucks and buses, spare parts as well as after sales services,” added Amrik.
Amrik added that the dealership aims at providing an estimated 350 employement opportunities over the next three years, a significant contribution to the country development agenda as well as Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals.
In February this year Toyota Kenya unveiled a Hino trucks and buses assembly line at the Associated Vehicle Assemblers plant in Mombasa, with a projected 50 units output a month. Since then the firm has embarked on an aggressive expansion plan targeted at bringing its services closer to the people. Hino is currently available in all Toyota Kenya branches and dealerships in the country.
“Our dealership launch in Nakuru complements our 2013 plan to create Hino dealer points in all counties in Kenya. All our dealerships are especially armed with a distinguished product lineup that offers the unparalleled cost of ownership, superior fuel efficiency, unmatched reliability and durability,” said Wanjohi Kangangi Hino General Manager at Toyota Kenya. “Our interest in Nakuru is fueled by the town’s economic potential that stands to grow even further under the new county arrangement. We want Hino to be part of this growth especially by providing reliable transport for all customers,” Kangangi added.
The Nakuru dealership will cover the entire Nakuru and Rift region and is expected to edge further into the Western region.
