Long-time Hino sales manager retires

A long term Hino executive who has worked with all incarnations of the brand’s distribution in Australia over the past 36 years is retiring in July 2015..

Hino Australia’s sales operations manager Vic Rijn is winding down after working with Hino in various capacities since 1978.

Divisional manager – brand and franchise development, Hino Motor Sales Australia, Bill Gillespie told Autotalk: “No one has been named at this time to replace Rijn.”

Gillespie notes that Hino’s dealership network will not be affected by Rijn’s departure and says: “The duties for the role will be re-allocated pending a re-structure at some point in the next few months but no impact will be felt at this time.”

Rijn, who emigrated from Holland in 1974, began working at Thiess Toyota in Townsville as fleet manager for both Hino and Toyota in the northern Queensland region.

He later worked in Melbourne and Sydney, including a stint in Sydney in 1995 following the formation of Hino Motor Sales Australia. His roles have included divisional manager for parts as well as his current role as sales operations manager.

Rijn says his diverse experiences with the brand over the years had enhanced his time with Hino. “It has never been a boring job; there have been so many variations in what I’ve done,” Rijn says.

“There have been a number of highlights over the years, too – the formation of Hino Motor Sales Australia saw a lot of positive things happen for the brand here.

“In 2003 and 2004 Hino became leader in light duty trucks with the 300 Series, beating Isuzu two years in a row.”

Hino Australia chairman and chief executive officer Steve Lotter says he had worked alongside Rijn both for Toyota and Hino for a number of years and that Rijn’s contributions had been invaluable.

“Of course we’re sorry to see Vic go, but we wish him a long, healthy and happy retirement,” Lotter says.

Rijn will take a year of long-service leave before fully retiring in July 2015. He is planning to spend more time engaging in his favourite pastime – ballroom dancing.