It’s still out there carrying a daily load. Toyota Dyna has weathered time – 40 years since its launch - in the face of stiff competition to become a favourite South African truck brand. Recent sales figures place Dyna at the head of an all time truck industry sales record. Dyna recorded 258 retail units and a 22,5% market share for July 2006 in a medium truck market that has increased by 17,4% for the first 7 months of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. It’s easy to see that at least 1 in every 5 medium trucks on the road is a Dyna! 

Taking a leading position in South Africa’s medium truck market for decades is built on strong pillars of the past. From one Dyna model available in 1965 through a limited dealer network to 10 Dyna model derivatives, that will sell more than 3000 Dyna trucks in 2006, means a tradition of quality, durability and reliability.

Dyna – 4-ton payload segment founder
In 1981 truck local content laws required for a local ADE diesel engine to be fitted and Dyna was the market leader in tough conditions where all competitors were equipped with similar power units. And under these conditions Dyna was the founder of the 4-ton payload market segment. The most popular Dyna model of the past 40 years was the 7-094 – an ADE (Atlantis Diesel Engine) powered, 7-ton GVM model with a nominal body length of 4m. It’s this rugged model with a locally manufactured diesel engine that established the 4-ton payload legend and lasted from 1982 up to the sale of the last 7-094 in 1999 – a period of 17 years. Dyna 4-tonners became the benchmark for a distribution truck and many ADE powered units – now 25 years old – are still operating today. 

Dyna – started with petrol engines – now pure diesel
It has come a long way since the sixties when the first Dyna models were petrol powered. You can compare the Dyna specification of 1969 with its virtual equivalent payload model 37 years later: in the Table below. 

Due to a very low tare mass, the old petrol Dyna had nearly the same payload capacity as the 2006 model but its productivity factors are well behind a modern diesel-powered Dyna.

In fact the last petrol-powered Dyna model – a 6-094 – was sold in 2001. 

Not only are modern diesel-powered Dyna’s more fuel-efficient, but more than twice the torque and an extra gearbox ratio gets work done in double-quick time compared to its predecessors. 

Remember! In celebration of the loyal relationship between a Toyota Dyna and its owner, Toyota SA Motors Truck Division has embarked on a quest to locate not just the oldest working Dyna in Africa, but also to find the model with the highest mileage. Once found, both category winners as well as their partners will be wined and dined during a five day VIP trip to Japan! 

A relaxing day at an exclusive Spa is also up for grabs to two FleetWatch readers and their partners! All you have to do is predict the winning model year or highest mileage and make sure your entry reaches us!

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