Despite recently ending production at a California plant, Hino Motors Sales USA says it is planning for growth in the U.S. market.


Monday, the company said that coming off of a record month in sales, it was reconfirming its plan for continued growth in the U.S. commercial truck market.

"We are achieving our original plan to grow our sales, dealer network, manufacturing capabilities and overall presence here in the U.S.," said newly appointed President and CEO Sumio Fukaya. "We are tracking towards our goals of selling 10,000 trucks a year within the next two to three years, and 20,000 units within the next five years. Additionally, we have recently signed our 175th dealer, populating us in the top 150 U.S. commercial truck markets. Our plan also called for the establishment of a Hino owned and operated assembly plant here in the U.S. We are proud to announce we have accomplished this goal with our assembly plant in Williamstown, West Virginia."

The West Virginia plant is owned and operated by Hino Motors Sales USA Inc.'s sister company, Hino Motors Manufacturing USA. Hino is the only Japanese commercial truck company with manufacturing operations in the United States.

Hino, a Toyota Group Company, recently announced as planned that it would end a contractual manufacturing arrangement with TABC Inc. (Toyota's first North American manufacturing plant) in Long Beach, Calif., and transfer that production to Hino's West Virginia facility. It was widely reported that the move would cut Hino's annual production capacity in North America from 9,500 per year to 4,500.

"Our manufacturing facility in West Virginia is very flexible," explained Hino Motors Manufacturing President Yasuo Tanigawa. "We can quickly and seamlessly respond to increased product demand and product option content."

Fukaya added, "We believe the West Virginia plant will permit us to more efficiently and effectively serve our customers, and attract new customers. This move solidifies Hino's intent to have a long term and growing presence in the U.S. market."