How Big Trucks Became the Kings of the Road

As a kid, did you ever stare out the window of your family car and wonder what was hiding in those big trucks plowing down Highway 401?

Maybe you even threw your arm in the air and furiously did the universal arm pump, hoping for a friendly honk from the trucker next to you. At the time, all that mattered was hearing the loud honk of the truck horn.

From live cattle to lumber, it’s common to see a variety of products transported along Canada’s busiest highways. But have you ever actually stopped to consider where the majority of your products come from?

Many of us don’t. We shop and spend without giving it a second thought. But the truth is, Canada’s economy depends on commercial trucking because at some point or another, whatever you’ve bought has been on the back of a flatbed or carrier.

According to the Canadian Trucking Alliance, approximately 90% of consumer products are shipped by truck. Canadian truckers drive our economy forward by getting the goods we purchase every day to market. Without them, we’d be at a standstill!

So, how does it work?

Trucking Drives Jobs, Sales and Product Diversity

Commercial freight is a $65 billion dollar industry and the profits that stream from it help to strengthen Canada’s economy even further through job creation, revenue growth and new tax generation for the companies and business that operate in the sector. Can you imagine a trip to your local grocery store and not seeing everyday commodities we think of as “normal”, like bananas and oranges? Commercial fleets travel across international borders to bring us these small luxuries. Without trucks, Canadians wouldn’t be able to enjoy some of their favourite foods or products!

In fact, if it weren’t for freight economy, Canada’s automotive industry as a whole would be next to extinct. In 2014, Canada imported $440B of foreign product, making it the 12th largest importer in the world. During the last five years the imports of Canada have increased at an annualized rate of 7.8%, from $302B in 2009 to $440B in 2014. The most recent imports are led by cars which represent 6.11% of the total imports of Canada, followed by crude petroleum, which accounts for 4.77%. To drive this point home, you wouldn’t have a car industry without the truck industry.

Hino Makes It Happen

A strong commercial fleet is essential to any business. Big trucks provide ample cargo space and the durability required for making one big trip across the country, which also saves on fuel from not having to make a series of trips in a smaller vehicle. Brands like Hino Canada provide Canadian businesses with plenty of transit options to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

At Somerville Hino, our Hino rental program lets you find the perfect truck for any function, be it moving or construction. Plus, we have plenty of options to choose from in our new inventory, and our pre-owned truck inventory includes light and medium-duty models like our popular 195 and 268. All of our new Hino models come backed by HinoWatch during the first three years of your warranty. HinoWatch grants you 24/7 emergency services, like free towing or roadside assistance, should the situation call for it. With resources like these, there’s no better place to find your truck.

Are you thinking about upsizing your commercial fleet, or simply want a commercial diesel truck of your own? Somerville Hino is the expert on the Hino brand. Give us a call at 1-(877) 650-6296 or contact us online to get started today.

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