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Hino launches its RM1 road chassis for the long-distance segment in Ecuador

MORE CAPACITY TO CONTINUE LEADING IN ECUADOR

19 August 2022

For several decades, Hino has been the undisputed leader in Ecuador's passenger transport, with legendary products like the front-engine AK chassis that became both an arch-favorite of transporters and the chassis that competing brands have in their sights of look.

On the other hand, the Ecuadorian transporter has been changing its mentality: on medium and long distance routes it is leaving the chassis with a front engine and conventional leaf spring suspension, to incorporate those with a rear propeller with pneumatic suspension. Additionally, in recent years there has been an important renewal with buses from China, Peru, Brazil and Colombia that gave another dimension to the country's road mobilization.

Taking into account the above, Hino and Mavesa, its distributor in Ecuador, have understood the need of Ecuadorian transporters and passengers and officially presented from the city of Ambato, the main enclave of the bus industry in the country, its RM1 chassis of the series 700. Because of what the brand represents in the neighboring country, it was a long-awaited platform for businessmen, who accompanied the launch event together with bodybuilders who already have their models ready.

“The carrier had been waiting for this chassis for a long time, with all this pandemic and global economic difficulties, the launch was delayed and was even planned before the entry of other brands that have achieved good acceptance in the bus segment rear engine. Several carriers who had used the AK and wanted the RK, which is the same with a rear drive, but it was wasting space in the hold and some coachbuilders cut it down and modified it. Hino with the RM1 introduces a more powerful engine and its additional braking systems with which they seek to once again have that market share in buses that has reached 80%" Explains Ángel Vinueza, Director of Ecuabus Magazine, the main means of passenger transport from the neighboring country.

Hino radically changes what it has offered on Ecuadorian roads until now, with a platform with pneumatic suspension in the front and rear. It also stands out for its wide wheelbase, capable of reaching 6,000 mm, and its configuration for pass-through holds that will allow the mobilization of a greater amount of luggage, which is especially appreciated on long routes.

It is powered by a 12,913cc displacement, 6-cylinder, turbocharged and intercooled Hino EC13C family diesel engine. The feeding is done through the common-rail system provided by Denso specialists. It delivers 405HP of power between 1,600 and 1,800 rpm, in addition to 1,862Nm of torque with a wide range of use between 1,000 and 1,500 laps.

It complies with the Euro 3 emissions standard, let us remember that Ecuador has a less demanding environmental policy and also depends on guaranteeing an adequate supply of ultra-low sulfur fuel so that there are more environmentally friendly versions. The transmission is a manual of ZF origin with 6 forward gears, drum brakes on both trains with ABS as standard and a retarder also included from the factory.

“This bus comes with two auxiliary brakes, you have one on the engine and an additional one at the transmission output, these help extend the useful life of the brake shoes, drums and tires, making the investment of customers in preventive maintenance less and the profitability of the logistics operation is increased. These braking systems support stopping, before the driver even thinks of stepping on the pedal.” Reinforces the engineer Luis Enrique Maldonado, responsible for technical support Heavy Line of Grupo Mavesa.

The chassis, to be delivered to the bodybuilder, weighs 6,640kg and supports a load capacity of up to 11,340Kg, which allows for a maximum gross vehicle weight of 18,000Kg. It is approved for any mode of passenger transport in the neighboring country. Naturally, the prices of the bodies depend on the interior configurations, seating arrangements and equipment ordered by the carriers; although the value of the Hino RM1 platform, according to the official information of the Mavesa Group in Ecuador, begins its commercialization at 101,990 dollars.