Johannesburg, 20 October 2025 — For Jacques Baird, founder and owner of Ruah Transport, trust isn’t built overnight — it’s earned kilometre by kilometre. Since starting his logistics company in 2007, Baird has relied solely on Hino trucks, a decision that has driven his business to remarkable success and cemented a partnership spanning nearly three decades.
What began with a single Hino 500 Series 1324 model — boasting a 13-ton GVM and 240 hp engine — has grown into a fleet of 50 Hino trucks operating across South Africa and neighbouring countries. The first truck, bought in 2007, clocked an impressive 1.2 million kilometres before being sold in 2017, a testament to the brand’s reliability and endurance.
“I’ve bought only Hino trucks because I’ve personally experienced their performance — both from behind the wheel and from a management perspective,” says Baird. “Over the years, I’ve kept close tabs on operating costs, downtime, and driver feedback. The trucks have consistently proven reliable, durable and cost-effective. Combined with Hino’s excellent after-sales service, I’ve never had a reason to consider another brand.”
Building a Legacy on Reliability
Ruah Transport’s operations began modestly, with Baird managing everything himself for the first 15 years. Today, the company has grown into a respected regional carrier, transporting goods across South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, and Eswatini. Despite the scale, one principle has remained unchanged — a steadfast belief in Hino’s capability.
The company’s latest additions include five new Hino 500 Series 1627 freight carriers fitted with solid panel load boxes. The Ruah fleet now comprises 32 link combinations featuring the same 1627 model, while the remainder consists of 8-ton freight carriers, all equipped with solid side load boxes to ensure secure and efficient transportation.
A Partnership Built on Total Support
Baird’s long-standing partnership with Hino extends beyond the trucks themselves. All new vehicles are purchased through Hino Honeydew in Johannesburg, while servicing and maintenance are handled by Hino Pomona, ensuring consistent care across the fleet.
This collaboration embodies Hino’s “Total Support” philosophy — a global commitment to building lasting relationships with customers through exceptional service, reliability and shared success.
“It’s partnerships like these that define the Hino brand,” says Itumeleng Segage, General Manager of Hino South Africa. “We are very proud of the long-running relationship between Ruah Transport and Hino, especially the positive feedback regarding our dealers’ after-sales service. This milestone — Ruah Transport’s 50th Hino — is a celebration of mutual trust, performance and dedication.”
A Million-Kilometre Mindset
For Baird, every Hino in his fleet represents more than a piece of machinery — it’s a trusted partner on the road. His standard practice of only trading or selling trucks once they’ve surpassed 1.2 million kilometres speaks volumes about the durability and performance Hino delivers year after year.
“Reliability isn’t just a nice-to-have in our business,” he says. “It’s the difference between meeting a deadline and losing a client. With Hino, I know I can depend on every truck, every trip.”
From a single truck to a fleet of fifty, Ruah Transport’s journey mirrors Hino’s promise of quality, endurance and unwavering support. Together, they continue to drive progress — one million kilometres at a time.
