Hino's only a Paper Tiger

18th October 1980, Page 33

18th October 1980

Page 33

Page 33, 18th October 1980 — Hino's only a Paper Tiger

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FIND articles regarding HCV's efforts to enter the UK market as distributor for the Eire-based EEC importer/assembler very interesting and unique in this world of multinationals, co-operative agreements, technical collaboration and what have you.

We gather from your excellent magazine that in addition to the unions, Leyland and other manufacturers are protesting at the apparent backdoor methods of the Japanese. Leyland, a force to be reckoned with in any market, is of course a major outlet for Hino bus chassis and Diahatsu light vehicles in Australia.

They obviously have to make a profit for their masters where they can, so surely there is a case for Hino or HCV, if you will, identifying a market and being given the opportunity to take their chances like the rest of us.

The real threat in the heavy commercial vehicle and equipment field, I would have thought, is coming from the Americans who are snapping up UK companies with good reason — names like Rockwell, Spicer, 1H come to mind.

For my money, Hino heavies wouldn't get a look in. If I needed a heavy it would be Kenworth without a doubt, a make which should really send shivers down the backs of industry here.

In an open market, which the UK surely is, it will always be subject to abuse either by itself or outsiders. Can I suggest, therefore, that UK manufacturers and unions get their priorities, right and make sure that while they are watching the Paper Tiger the Eagle doesn't pick off the ailing lambs.

MALCOLM E. MASON, Mason international Equipment, (Based in Sydney, Australia)