Hino Trucks model 268 received the 2010 Medium Duty Commercial Truck of the Year award April 25 at the American Truck Dealers (ATD) Convention & Expo in Orlando, Fla. This is the first time a medium-duty version of the award was given.

The award is based on innovation, design, fuel economy, driver and owner satisfaction, ease of maintenance and safety. The judging panel consists of journalists from leading truck publications in North America.

"All the trucks in this year's event were fine examples of the great strides the manufacturers have been making in developing new products," said ATD Chair Pamela Hall and dealer-owner of Hall Volvo, GMC, Isuzu and Hino in Tyler, Texas. "The winners brought the best combination of new features, driver comfort and safety systems."

Sumio Fukaya, president and CEO of Hino Trucks, accepted the award on behalf of the company. "We are proud of these recent accolades. The Truck of the Year award acknowledges the countless efforts our Hino Team endures to create an outstanding product our customers can rely on," said Fukaya. "We want to thank the ATD and the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) in giving attention to the important medium duty truck market by creating this new category for this coveted award."

Hino's model 268 truck is equipped with Hino's 2010 compliant SCR system, making it the only medium duty conventional truck to meet the stringent 2010 EPA emissions regulation without using credits. Hino's proprietary engine has received the J.D. Power and Associates Awards for "Highest Customer Satisfaction with Conventional Medium Duty Engines and Transmissions" for two consecutive years.

In addition to this product achievement, two Hino dealers - Greg Lesher, president of Lesher Mack Sales & Service Inc., in Lebanon, Penn., and Ron Meyering, president of M & K Quality Truck Sales in Byron Center, Mich. - were nominated by their peers as "Truck Dealer of the Year." The ATD and Heavy Duty Trucking magazine presented this national industry award, which recognizes excellence in business practices, industry leadership, civic contributions and community service.