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LONG-TIME Hino service and parts business, Southside Truck Centre, has transitioned into sales for the brand in a move that will boost national Hino sales outlets to 42 dealerships.

Southside, based in Lismore in NSW but with a network that includes Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, has been a service and parts Hino franchise for the past six years.

The family-owned business is one of 69 Hino sales, parts and service outlets in Australia.

Hino Australia vice-president of brand and franchise development Bill Gillespie said the appointment of Southside was a “logical addition” to the national sales network.

He said that expansion of the Hino network was based on customer needs and that future appointments were the subject of “continually monitoring the Australian truck market.”

“Southside Truck Centre has been part of the Australian trucking landscape for over 50 years, so they were the perfect choice to support and service our customers in the Northern Rivers region,” he said.

From left: David Hill (Vehicle Sales Representative), Steve Robinson (Dealer Principal), and Jason Balzer (Vehicle Sales Representative) from Southside Trucks.

Southside dealer principal Steve Robinson said taking on Hino as a sales proposition was triggered by strong and early interest in the Hino brand.

“Like many businesses, the pandemic forced us to re-evaluate our business and it was a logical conclusion to expand our range of products to include Hino, providing our customers with more medium and light-duty options, and a complete range of trucks for all applications,” he said.

“With the launch last year of the new 300 Series including an expansion of the Built to Go products, it is a particularly exciting time to be involved with Hino Australia.”

Mr Robinson credits the family-owned and operated company’s longevity to its ‘“customer first’’ ethos.

Hino has become the latest truck brand to be sold by Southside. It is a sales, parts and service business for Mack, UD, Volvo, Western Star, MAN, and Dennis Eagle.

Steve Robinson (third from right) credits the family-owned and operated company’s longevity to its ‘customer first’’ ethos.

By Neil Dowling

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