Hino Motors Sales USA on Tuesday, May 20, reconfirmed its plan for continued growth in the U.S. commercial truck market. The Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based company also announced the establishment of a Hino-owned and -operated assembly plant in Williamstown, W.Va.
“We are achieving our original plan to grow our sales, dealer network, manufacturing capabilities and overall presence here in the U.S.,” says Sumio Fukaya, president and chief executive officer of Hino Motors Sales USA Inc. “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 5 years. Additionally, we have recently signed our 175th dealer, populating us in the top 150 U.S. commercial truck markets.”
The West Virginia plant is owned and operated by Hino Motors Sales USA Inc.’s sister company, Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Inc. Hino is the only Japanese commercial truck company with manufacturing operations in the United States. Hino, a Toyota Group company, recently announced that it would end a contractual manufacturing arrangement with TABC Inc., located in Long Beach, Calif., and transfer production of the company’s Class 4-7 commercial trucks to Hino’s facility in Williamstown.
“Our manufacturing facility in West Virginia is very flexible — we can quickly and seamlessly respond to increased product demand and product option content,” says Yasuo Tanigawa, president of Hino Motors Manufacturing. “Indeed, this flexibility is a result of our team members training in and commitment to the Toyota Production System and Kaizen (continuous improvement).”
Fukaya echoed Tanigawa’s observations. “We believe the West Virginia plant will permit us to more efficiently and effectively serve our customers, and attract new customers,” Fukaya says. “This move solidifies Hino’s intent to have a long-term and growing presence in the U.S. market.”
