If you’d told Stephanie De Marco 12 years ago that one day she’d be selling trucks for a living, she probably would have thought you were talking nonsense.
Back then, Steph was working reception at a truck yard, learning the ropes of the automotive and trucking industry from the front desk. Like many people starting out in their careers, she had an idea of where her path might lead, but truck sales was definitely not on her radar.
“Never in a million years,” Steph laughs. “I was a receptionist, that’s what I thought I’d always be doing. Selling trucks was never something I imagined I’d ever be doing.”
Today, Steph is a Sales Consultant at CMI Hino Adelaide, helping businesses, councils and fleet operators find the right Hino trucks and commercial vehicle solutions for their operations. Her journey has involved stepping outside her comfort zone, building confidence and proving that the trucking industry offers opportunities for people from all backgrounds.
Breaking Barriers for Women in the Trucking Industry
When Steph first entered the automotive industry, truck dealerships looked very different from today.
“It was a man’s world,” she says. “Women were working behind the scenes in office roles. Seeing a woman in sales just wasn’t the norm. I just thought it was more of a man’s job.”
That mindset stayed with her for several years. However, after gaining experience across different areas of the automotive sector, including car sales and trucks, Steph saw an opportunity to challenge herself.
“I wanted to see how far I could make it, especially as a female in such a male-dominated industry,” she says. “I guess I wanted to try something really different.”
That willingness to embrace new challenges has become a defining feature of her career and highlights the growing presence of women in trucking and automotive sales.
Building a Career in Truck Sales
Transitioning into truck sales at CMI Hino Adelaide marked an exciting new chapter for Steph, but it also came with a significant learning curve.
Unlike passenger vehicle sales, truck sales require a deep understanding of business operations, vehicle applications and technical specifications. Sales consultants must ensure customers invest in the right vehicle for their business requirements.
“Trucks are very technical. There’s a lot to it,” she says. “You’re selling someone a business idea. If you get that wrong and it’s not fit for purpose, you could potentially cost a business owner a lot of money.”
To develop her knowledge, Steph completed extensive product and technical training through Hino's training programs.
“There’s been a lot of in-person training, online training, learning all the models, applications, technical specs, even down to what’s underneath the cabin. And it never really stops, with regular updates, which is great. Hino really encourages ongoing learning and personal development.”
This ongoing investment in training has helped Steph build both expertise and confidence, allowing her to provide customers with practical advice and tailored truck solutions.
Customer Service Drives Success
A typical day for Steph involves far more than selling trucks. Her role includes preparing quotations, coordinating custom truck builds, liaising with body builders, monitoring production schedules and keeping customers informed throughout the process.
While truck sales can be highly technical, Steph believes strong customer service remains the most important part of the job.
“People are still buying from people,” she says. “Follow-up is important. Do what you say you’re doing. Don’t try to fudge the truth. Honesty is the best policy.”
At CMI Hino Adelaide, every customer has different requirements.
Government and council fleet customers often have detailed specifications already prepared.
“Government customers know exactly what they want. They give you the specs they want and you make sure you account for everything.”
For private businesses and retail customers, the process can be more consultative.
“Some customers know exactly what they want, but others don’t. You’ve got to help guide them and really understand what they need the truck to do for their business.”
Steph particularly enjoys solving complex challenges and helping customers achieve the right outcome.
“The challenging ones that turn into gold are my favourites,” she says.
Whether it's managing budget constraints or earning the trust of a hesitant buyer, these are the moments where her problem-solving skills, product knowledge and customer focus make the biggest impact.
Growing Demand for Hino Hybrid Trucks
One of the biggest trends Steph is seeing in the trucking industry is growing interest in sustainability and lower-emission transport solutions.
She says conversations around the Hino Hybrid Electric truck range are becoming increasingly common.
“Hybrid technology is probably the biggest conversation at the moment,” she says. “It’s a nice middle ground between diesel and full electric. Once customers see the fuel cost savings and the Euro 6 compliance, it becomes an easy conversation.”
Government departments and councils have been particularly proactive in adopting hybrid truck technology as they work towards sustainability goals and greener fleet operations.
As a leader in hybrid truck technology within its market segment, Hino is well positioned to support businesses and fleet operators looking to reduce fuel consumption and emissions without compromising performance.
For Steph, it's an exciting time to be working in truck sales as the industry continues to evolve.
A Career Milestone Worth Celebrating
One of the standout moments in Steph’s career was qualifying for the prestigious Hino National Skills Competition.
To fully appreciate the achievement, it’s important to remember where her career began.
“The first time I made it into the skills competition, I thought about how, just 10-plus years earlier, I was sitting at a reception desk,” she reflects. “I never looked at myself as being a truck salesperson back then. And then I'm going to Sydney to go into a truck sales competition. That was huge for me.”
Steph has now competed twice in the competition, achieving second place in 2025.
The accomplishment reflects her dedication, continual learning and commitment to delivering outstanding service to customers at CMI Hino Adelaide.
More Women Are Choosing Careers in Trucking
One of the most rewarding aspects of Steph’s journey has been witnessing positive change throughout the automotive and trucking industries.
Over the past decade, she has seen more women pursue careers across a wide range of roles.
“You see women everywhere now; sales managers, apprentices, technicians, coordinators. Hino is a company that encourages and celebrates women in the industry,” she says.
For Steph, this progress goes beyond numbers. Women are no longer viewed as exceptions within the industry. They are increasingly recognised as valuable professionals making meaningful contributions to automotive and trucking businesses across Australia.
Her advice for women considering a career in trucking, automotive sales or the transport industry is simple:
“Just do it. There’s nothing to be scared of. There’s so much opportunity, and you never know what you’re capable of until you try.”
What’s Next for Steph De Marco?
Despite her achievements, Steph remains focused on future opportunities.
She would love to become a national representative for Hino and eventually move into a leadership position at a broader level.
“It would be cool to go national, maybe even international one day,” she says. “To be one of the top people at Hino, or to represent the company in a way that shows what we can do. That would be amazing.”
Steph De Marco’s story is a powerful example of how the trucking industry is changing. Through hard work, technical expertise and a strong customer-first approach, she continues to help shape that future at CMI Hino Adelaide - one customer, one truck and one milestone at a time.
Explore our Meet the Team page to learn more about the experienced professionals behind CMI Hino Adelaide and how we can help with your truck and fleet requirements.
