Hino City Tractor Debuts at Beverage World Events

DETROIT, Nov. 10, 2005 -- Hino Trucks has joined with Fontaine Modification to introduce a Class 7 city tractor version of its popular Model 338 straight truck. The new design will debut at Beverage World's 2005 BevOps and Beverage Fleet Summit show in Phoenix, AZ on November 13 & 14, 2005.

The Hino 338 City Tractor is a single axle tractor powered by Hino's 260 HP J-Series engine featuring choices of two wheelbases (144" WB/76.6" CA or 151" WB/83.6" CA), an Allison 3300 RDS automatic transmission, Meritor 21,000 rear axle with Hendrickson air suspensions or 23,000 lb rear axle with spring suspension.

The 338 City Tractor package includes the specified wheelbase, tractor/trailer brake and electrical connections, optional vertical exhaust, tapered rear frame, back of cab access, a Fontaine fifth wheel and Fleetline spray suppression components including stainless steel quarter fenders, mud flap brackets and mud flaps. Wabco trailer ABS control and a single air horn are also standard.

"We have had a lot of customer interest in a Hino city tractor and the BevOps and Fleet Conference events are great places to introduce the concept," said Nick Vermet, Sr. VP Sales and Marketing for Hino. "Fontaine brings a long history of first class design to this effort. We see this tractor as the first of many projects we can do together that allow us to meet end user requests."

"The Hino 338 is a great platform for this type of conversion," said Wade Roskam, Fontaine's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We're excited to be part of Hino's entry into this market segment."

The Hino 338 City Tractor will be a Hino data book option offered with Hino's standard warranty provisions.

Hino Motors Sales U.S.A., Inc. (HMS) is the Detroit, MI headquartered distribution arm of Hino Motors Ltd. based in Tokyo, Japan. HMS sells and services a full product line of Class 4-7 Medium Duty Trucks through a nationwide dealer network. The Company assembles its products in Long Beach, CA and operates a National Parts Distribution Center in Southaven, MS. Toyota owns controlling interest of Hino Motors Ltd. Additional information at http://www.hino.com/ .

Fontaine Modification, a member of the Marmon Highway Technologies group, has provided services to class 5-8 OEM truck manufacturers, dealers, and end users since 1979. Fontaine modifies medium and heavy-duty chassis to meet specific niche market applications. Core product families include dual driving station modifications, fleet in-servicing as well as intermediate and postproduction option content. The company offers services on a "ship through" basis. Additional information requests may be made through http://www.fontainemod.com/ .

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