Japan-based Hino Motors has announced it will establish its first U.S. manufacturing operation beginning in 2004, with the trucks to be sold in North America.

Hino will assemble medium-size commercial panel trucks at the TABC Inc. facility located in Long Beach, Calif. Both the facility and Hino are affiliated with Toyota Motor Corp.
"TABC has experienced good success in its 30-year history," said TABC president Seiji Ikezaki during 30th anniversary ceremonies. "The decision by Hino Motors to establish its first U.S. operation here at our plant is a credit to our team members who build top quality products, as well as to the Long Beach community."
This will be the first time a full vehicle has been made at TABC. The Hino truck assembly operation is expected to locate in an existing area of the plant, and the company will invest approximately $3 million for equipment installation.
Hino's truck assembly will be the first vehicle assembly operation to locate in California since the Toyota/General Motors joint venture plant, NUMMI, opened in 1984.