TOKYO, October 23, 2023 – Allison Transmission Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of Allison Transmission Inc., has announced that the Hino Ranger GK mixer, equipped as standard with the Allison 3500 6-speed fully automatic transmission, has been selected for use by 11 of the 15 members of the Kanagawa Prefecture Truck Association's Ready-Mixed Concrete Transport Subcommittee. According to data from the Japan Vehicle Inspection and Registration Information Association, approximately 20% of mixer trucks in Kanagawa prefecture in 2021 and 2022 were equipped with Allison transmissions, and current demand is on an upward trend.

The Ranger GK mixer has a lightweight chassis, which enables it to carry one additional ton of ready-mixed concrete than large, high-floor type mixer trucks, thereby improving transportation efficiency. With fuel prices rapidly rising, the Ranger GK can lower operators’ costs by reducing the number of trips required for a specific job and help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The Ranger GK is equipped with a small-displacement 5.1-liter engine, but Allison's patented torque converter more than doubles the available torque, allowing the vehicle to not only start powerfully on slopes, but also to back up without stopping at sites where pile-driving is required. This eliminates the need for challenging shifts, allowing for smooth and easy operation of the truck.

"Of the 35 mixer trucks in our fleet, three are equipped with Allison Automatics, and we have noticed no significant difference in hill climbing performance compared to trucks with manual transmissions. Compared to AMT-equipped vehicles, vehicles with Allison automatics shift gears very smoothly and drivers are truly satisfied with the smooth driving performance,” said Yuzo Suzuki, President of Sankyo Land Transportation and Chairman of the Ready-Mixed Concrete Transport Subcommittee. “The introduction of the Allison-equipped GK mixer has enabled us to achieve real efficiencies.”

“When the exhaust brake is activated on a downward slope, the mixer automatically downshifts and decelerates, and we feel that the deceleration effect is comparable to that of a mixer truck with a manual transmission,” said Yuzo. “We are planning to introduce one more mixer equipped with an Allison transmission in November this year, and, given their good reputation, there is likely to be increased deployment of such vehicles by members of our Subcommittee.”

"In 2024, the logistics industry will continue to face the challenges of an aging workforce and changes in the work style of commercial vehicle drivers; resulting in an overall shortage of drivers and potential reduced productivity of businesses who rely on them,” said Brian Geiselhart, Executive Director, Asia Pacific Sales. “Allison will continue to strive to help solve this problem by providing fully automatic transmissions that improve our customers' productivity and reduce the burden on drivers through superior operability.”

About Allison Transmission
Allison Transmission (NYSE: ALSN) is a leading designer and manufacturer of vehicle propulsion solutions for commercial and defense vehicles, the largest global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions, and a leader in electrified propulsion systems that Improve the Way the World Works. Allison products are used in a wide variety of applications, including on-highway trucks (distribution, refuse, construction, fire and emergency), buses (school, transit and coach), motorhomes, off-highway vehicles and equipment (energy, mining and construction applications) and defense vehicles (tactical wheeled and tracked). Founded in 1915, the company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. With a presence in more than 150 countries, Allison has regional headquarters in the Netherlands, China and Brazil, manufacturing facilities in the USA, Hungary and India, as well as global engineering resources, including electrification engineering centers in Indianapolis, Indiana, Auburn Hills, Michigan and London in the United Kingdom. Allison also has approximately 1,600 independent distributor and dealer locations worldwide. For more information, visit allisontransmission.com.