As we transition into the holiday season, I am excited to share a Hino Express filled with important updates and achievements that underscore our commitment to growth, excellence, and collaboration.

We recognize that our greatest asset is our Dealer partnerships, and investing in your development remains a top priority. In this issue, and in coordination with Hino Trucks, TICF is excited to launch three new finance training programs designed to help you and your team stay ahead of the curve. Our new courses, available to all dealer personnel via the Hino Learning Center, provide “Finance Fundamentals” learning opportunities to help you go the extra mile with your customers.

Transformational initiatives continue to take shape, and we are pleased to continue to share progress on Project Focus. Be sure to read about the recent developments of our new backend origination and servicing system, which will streamline our processes and improve efficiency, positioning us for even greater success as we move forward.

We celebrated our collective accomplishments in October with the “Partners in Excellence” award trip. This trip was a recognition of hard work and an opportunity to strengthen our relationships. Congratulations to those who were invited to attend, and I look forward to unveiling the 2025 Partners in Excellence award winners next summer.

Additionally, I am pleased to report that in early November, TICF and Hino Trucks met to discuss future joint programs, paving the way for innovative opportunities ahead. Our participation in the Hino DAC and 20-Group meetings in Lake Geneva continues to solidify our partnerships and collaborative efforts.

In a noteworthy achievement, TICF financed over 100 new Hinos in October, marking the first time we’ve reached this significant milestone in three years. This accomplishment reflects the resilience and determination of Hino Trucks, the Hino Dealership network and TICF.

Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence and collaboration. Together, we are setting the foundation for a successful future.

Wishing you and yours Happy Holidays and cheers to a successful end to 2024.

John Crews
President & CEO

We are excited to announce that the highly anticipated training modules are now officially live on the Hino Learning Center! After months of dedication and hard work, we invite all dealer personnel to take advantage of these invaluable resources designed to elevate your expertise and enhance your dealership’s operations.

The launch includes the following modules, each tailored to meet the needs of our diverse dealer personnel:

Get started by diving into the foundational aspects of TICF. This module provides an overview of our functions and how TICF supports dealers in navigating the truck industry.

Become proficient in the essential elements of credit evaluation. With this module, you will learn to effectively assess creditworthiness, enabling you to make informed financial decisions that benefit both your dealership and your clients.

Gain expertise in TICF financing options by exploring high-level details of leases and loans. This module will help you understand the different types available and equip you with best practices for crafting successful deals.

These modules are designed for easy access, allowing dealer personnel to engage with the content at their convenience. Whether you prefer to learn during downtime or carve out dedicated study time, the Hino Learning Center provides the flexibility you need to fit professional development into your busy schedule.

As we officially launch these training modules, we encourage all dealer personnel to prioritize their learning and growth. By participating in these programs, you enhance your skill set and contribute to your dealership’s collective strength and success.

We look forward to hearing your feedback and witnessing these resources’ positive impact on your dealership’s business.

Together, let’s embrace this opportunity for growth and drive towards a future of success and innovation. Thank you for your continued partnership, and happy learning!

Project FOCUS is gaining momentum towards our anticipated Q2 2025 system launch. This $11 million business transformation project is not only making strides in meeting our foundational goals but is also paving the way for the elevated experience we all aspire to achieve. A key component of this initiative is our focused effort on supplier integrations.

Powered by the industry-leading asset finance software provider Odessa, the new platform will seamlessly connect with over a dozen suppliers, enabling automated interfaces for the exchange of critical information across various areas, including Credit Bureaus, Banks, and Finance Industry data sources. This will enhance the user experience through automated workflows, simplifying the process of submitting credit applications, reworking deals, and providing greater self-service capabilities for you and our mutual customers.

Key TICF integrations include:

Once finalized, this solution will significantly improve our ability to ingest, process, and transform high volumes of operational activity with greater accuracy, leading to faster decision-making for you and your customers.

At the recent Hino F&I Council Meeting in September and the Hino 20 Meeting in October, we reiterated our commitment to this transformative project. We received numerous requests for a glimpse of the new system. So we’d like to share a bit more about the new system by providing a peek at the new interface.

At the end of October, we offered our dealer representatives who volunteered for testing and training an exclusive opportunity to preview the new system. During these sessions, we showcased the new interface and highlighted some key features. We actively encouraged feedback and questions at the end of the webinar, creating an engaging dialogue that energized the discussion. The volunteers are eager to see the upcoming phases of development and are enthusiastic about contributing to the project’s progress. In the coming months, we will continue to collect their insights and further refine the enhanced, more intuitive system based on their valuable input.

We appreciate your business, partnership, and ongoing support during this lengthy transition. Your patience is invaluable as we work towards building a better origination and servicing environment. We are excited about launching this fresh start with you in 2025.

From September 24-26, 2024, F&I professionals from across the United States gathered in Lexington, KY, for the annual F&I Council Meeting. This year’s event provided a vital platform for a diverse group of 11 dealer representatives to share insights and address key industry challenges, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that drives TICF forward.

The meeting was led by Senior Regional Sales Manager Steve Lanahan, who engaged attendees in open discussions about innovative ideas and improvements directly from the dealers’ perspective. “It’s rewarding to see that Council members find tremendous value in this interaction,” Steve remarked, highlighting the importance of dealer feedback.

The agenda was dynamic, covering significant topics such as the transformation of TICF’s credit and origination system, credit & funding, collections & loss recovery, and customer service and dealer relations. The council united in a collaborative effort to generate effective strategies for streamlining our processes. “It’s gratifying to see that Council members find tremendous value and choose to participate year after year. The F&I Council has proven successful for both sides,” Keith Courtney, Sr. Manager of Sales at TICF, remarked. This ongoing commitment demonstrates our collective drive to enhance efficiency and drive progress.

Mike Schultze, Sr. Director of Sales & Marketing at TICF, shared his thoughts on reconnecting with council members. “It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with several dealers in person. The face-to-face interactions were invaluable for exchanging insights and updating everyone on the latest developments at TICF.”

If there was one phrase that captured the spirit of this year’s F&I Council Meeting in Lexington, it was “Wes says yes!”

Wes, who oversees the credit and funding departments, plays a pivotal role in supporting our dealer network. His experience and expertise carry significant weight when it comes to reviewing credit decisions, and his department’s ability to find solutions to complex financing requests has long been appreciated.

During the meeting, the council discussed the importance of collaboration and flexibility. Examples were shared of how Wes and his team may be able to find ways to say “yes” while maintaining sound business practices. This immediately resonated with everyone in the room, and the phrase “Wes says yes!” was embraced by the group.

The mantra symbolized our collective commitment to finding solutions, saying “yes” to new ideas, and pushing for progress. Whether discussing the new origination system launching in 2025 or addressing how to improve dealer support, the phrase captured the positive and forward-thinking tone of the meeting.

So, the next time you think about our work together, remember: “Wes says yes!” is more than just a phrase. It reflects our shared mission to support dealers, empower customers, and say “yes” to a better future.

As the meeting concluded, a common theme emerged: the collective energy and commitment to progress as partners. “Together, we’re building a brighter future—not just for individual dealerships but for the broader network and the customers we serve,” Mike Schultze noted.

Thank you to all F&I Council members for your dedication and valuable insights. Their participation and all dealer feedback shape our programs and services, ensuring a continual drive for growth, innovation, and partnership. Stay tuned for updates as we move forward together!

The Partners in Excellence award recognizes the top Hino Trucks and Toyota Material Handling dealers who demonstrate outstanding performance in key areas. This unique program rewards, recognizes and connects the Hino Trucks and Toyota Material dealer networks.

Last month, we celebrated the 2024 winners at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California. Attendees enjoyed a three-day trip full of unique experiences, such as whale and dolphin watching and glow-in-the-dark golf.

This was the second time we brought both dealer networks and the inaugural Partners in Excellence trip.  It was a wonderful experience filled with joy, camaraderie, and a special opportunity between Hino and Toyota dealers.

Congratulations to this year’s attendees!

The 2025 Partners in Excellence award winners (program qualification period runs  April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025) will be announced in June 2025.