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Today’s Truck – Hino unveils Class 8 XL to Canada

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MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — There is a saying that you should go big or go home. Hino Trucks has answered the call with the Canadian reveal of its XL Series.

The event at the Truck World trade show officially marks the company’s entrance into Canada’s Class 8 market. “Arguably, something no OEM has done successfully in the last five decades,” said Mark Lorentz, vice president of sales.

Trucks for Canadian buyers will be assembled at an expanded Hino facility in Woodstock, Ont., with a “built for Canadians, by Canadians philosophy,” said Yumiko Kawamura, president of Hino Motors Canada.

The facility has been expanded to make room for a trim line, while the assembly line has also been realigned. “It’s quite a significant investment for Hino in Woodstock,” said Lorentz, although the value of the investment has not been released.

“We anticipate most of our early adopters will come from our existing customer base as the pent-up demand has been very, very strong. The spec’ we’ll be releasing to the first orders and pre-orders will cater to that market,” he added. Orders are to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with production of the 4×2 version to begin in the first quarter of 2019, and 6×4 production to begin in the second quarter.

The XL is powered by the 8.9-liter A09 diesel engine, with 300 hp and 900 lb-ft for the 4×2 and 6×4, and the option of 360 hp and 1,150 lb-ft for the 6×4. The engine has a dry weight of 1,949 lb., and a B10 life of 1.6 million km. More than 50,000 of the engines are on the road worldwide.

Front axles will have gross axle weight ratings of 12,000 to 16,000 lb., with rear axles at 21,000 to 46,000 lb. Wheelbases will run 217 to 298 inches. It’s essentially the same model that will be assembled in the U.S. market in West Virginia. “Basic spec’s are the same. We’re just putting different combinations of spec’s together,” said Lorentz.

The XL will come standard with Dana axles, Hendrickson Comfort Air suspension, and Wabco electronic stability control. Optional safety features include Wabco’s OnGuard active collision mitigation system and OnLane 2 lane departure warnings.

“This is truly an exciting moment for all of us,” said Eric Smith, senior vice-president of sales and customer support, referring to the half million engineering hours behind the product, most of which were completed in North America.

Hino is also expanding its global research and development capacity through a new agreement with Volkswagen Truck and Bus.

“It’s been defined as looking at future technologies, future powertrains, and could include things as far as telematics,” Lorentz said. “There will be more to come from Hino Motors and Volkswagen Truck and Bus at a later date.”