As Hino Motors Limited of Japan gears up for its 34th Dakar Rally, the company is once again demonstrating its commitment to reliability in one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events. Scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in January 2025, the rally will serve as the ultimate proving ground for Hino’s engineering prowess.
Hino’s track record in the Dakar Rally is nothing short of remarkable. Since the company’s debut in the 1991 Dakar Rally, at least one Hino truck has successfully crossed the finish line in every event, marking 33 consecutive finishes. This achievement underscores the brand’s dedication to producing trucks that can endure the harshest conditions while maintaining optimal performance.
In the 2024 event, Hino’s entry was a modified version of its 600 Series truck, designed primarily for the US market. This truck, the only Japanese entry in the field, secured an impressive sixth place overall, competing against 45 other trucks, of which only 20 managed to finish. Building on this success, Hino is set to compete in the 2025 rally with a further enhanced version of the 600 Series.
The 2025 contender will feature several key improvements aimed at boosting reliability and simplifying maintenance—a crucial factor in the grueling conditions of the Dakar Rally. Notable upgrades include the re-routing of engine piping to protect against potential damage and the reinforcement of the automatic transmission’s clutch plates. Additionally, the maintenance protocol at overnight stops has been streamlined to prevent time-consuming tasks from overlapping, ensuring the truck is always in peak condition for the next stage.
The Dakar Rally 2025, marking the 47th edition of this iconic off-road challenge, will begin in Bisha on January 3 and conclude in Subbaiah on January 17. Participants will face 12 timed stages with one rest day, in what is anticipated to be one of the toughest races in the event’s history. The rally will culminate in a grueling three-day adventure through the “Empty Quarter,” a vast expanse of sand dunes, which promises to test even the most resilient vehicles and teams. The inclusion of two marathon stages, where only the crews themselves are allowed to perform maintenance, adds an additional layer of difficulty.
Teruhito Sugawara, Hino’s Team Director and driver, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming rally, stating, “We are fully committed to continuing to work together in a challenging environment to ensure we build a faster and even more reliable truck for Dakar 2025.” This sentiment was echoed by Itumeleng Segage, General Manager of Hino South Africa, who highlighted the importance of the Dakar Rally for the brand’s reputation. “We are delighted that Hino has announced that it will once again take on the tough challenge of the Dakar Rally. The record of finishing 33 consecutive races is a great public display of Hino’s reliability, which resonates with our customers.”
As the countdown to Dakar 2025 begins, all eyes will be on Hino Motors as they strive to further solidify their legacy in the world’s most arduous motorsport event. The enhancements to the 600 Series truck reflect Hino’s unwavering commitment to excellence, ensuring that their streak of consecutive finishes continues in the face of ever-increasing challenges.
