The Hino Blue Ribbon (Japanese: æÂ¥éÂÂãÂȋÂÂã«ã¼ãªãÂÂã³) is a heavy-duty single-decker bus produced by Hino Motors through the J-Bus joint venture. The model range is primarily available as a city bus and a tourist coach. It is manufactured by J-Bus either as a complete bus or as a bus chassis.
The Blue Ribbon series was introduced in 1982.
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The Blue Ribbon non-step (low-entry) city bus was introduced at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show.
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The Blue Ribbon HIMR was a hybrid model introduced in 1991. It was equipped with an induction motor and batteries. During acceleration, the motor assisted the engine, while during braking, the motor functioned as an electric retarder, recovering energy and storing it in the batteries.
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The HIMR version of the Blue Ribbon City was introduced in 2001. The HU1J was a one-step model, with the battery system updated to nickelâÂÂmetal hydride (Ni-MH).
The Blue Ribbon City Hybrid was the only hybrid electric city bus produced by Hino Motors during this period. Most units were built on full-length chassis, with some produced on medium-length chassis. The HU8J was a non-step model, equipped with four Toyota Prius Ni-MH batteries mounted on the roof.
The Toyota FCHV-BUS was Japan's first fuel cell bus, based on the Hino KL-HU2PMEE chassis.
The Hino Blue Ribbon II is a rebadged version of the Isuzu Erga. It features a rounded roof dome similar to the Hino Rainbow II, a double-curvature windscreen, and a separately mounted destination blind.
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The Blue Ribbon name was reintroduced in 2015. Model timeline:
The Blue Ribbon Hybrid has been produced at Hino's Utsunomiya Works since 2015. Model timeline:
The Blue Ribbon Hybrid Articulated bus was launched on May 27, 2019, alongside the Isuzu Erga Duo. Its hybrid system is the same as that used in the HL series.
The model designation is LX525Z1. It was the first bus in the world to be equipped with the Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS). The bus is powered by an A09C 6-cylinder engine producing 360 hp at 1,800 rpm, paired with a Hino 7-speed automated manual transmission (7AMT). As its gross vehicle weight exceeds 20 tonnes, the model is fitted with this heavy-duty drivetrain.
Like the Erga Duo, the Blue Ribbon Hybrid Articulated is the only domestically produced large bus in Japan equipped with disc brakes on all wheels.
On February 5, 2020, the first units were delivered to Yokohama City, operated by the Yokohama City Transportation Bureau under the service name Bayside Blue. This delivery marked the first domestically manufactured articulated bus in Japan.
On August 2, 2022, shipments were suspendedâÂÂalong with the Erga HybridâÂÂunder the guidance of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism due to Hino Motors' engine data falsification scandal.
Shinjin RC420TP was a rear-engined, high-speed express bus manufactured under licence from the Hino Blue Ribbon RC Series. It was produced by Shinjin Motors in Busan, South Korea, between February 1971 and June 1972.
The RC420TP was introduced in February 1971 as part of Shinjin's express bus line. It used the body design of the Hino RC300P series but was built on the longer RC320P chassis. The model was equipped with Hino's DK20-T turbo-diesel engine.
Production ended in June 1972, with only 67 units completed before Shinjin Motors was taken over by General Motors Korea. A variant, the RC420 sub-series, was also produced with a leaf spring suspension system.