Hino to build new truck assembly plant in Japan

Hino Motors Ltd. announced plans to build Japan’s first new truck assembly plant in nearly 50 years in Ibaraki Prefecture. Hino’s main plant in Tokyo, which produces its core mid-size and large trucks, is limited because it is hemmed in by houses, thus leaving no room for expansion. Even as it sought a new plant site, Hino has worked to modify its production processes so that the Tokyo plant can also serve as an export base. President Yoshio Shirai is confident that “demand (for trucks) will bounce back” as soon as the effects of the financial crisis subside. He predicted that Hino will expand to “100 or more nations by 2012 from 60 now.” Hino has built up production capacity abroad, including in Colombia, Mexico and China. The company hopes to nearly triple annual overseas sales to 150,000 vehicles while domestic sales are expected to only reach 50,000 units. (January 19, 2009)