Hino Motors Ltd., Japan's largest manufacturer of commercial trucks, expects its domestic output to rise by about 31.7% to 52,610 units this year, from 39,947 units in 1999.

The company has forecast domestic truck sales of 37,210 units, up 39.8% from last year. Exports are expected to rise 15.5% to 15,400 units.
Hino said it expects an increase in production despite the company's disclosure last October that it might cut production of its Ranger-model medium-duty trucks this year by closing an assembly line at affiliate Mitsui Seiki Kogyo Co.'s Saitama plant. The Saitama plant produces about 5,000 units annually.
Hino had been negotiating with Mitsubishi Motors Corp.,the Nissan Diesel Motor Co. subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and General Motors in an effort to consolidate production and share costs.