Hino Motors opens Michigan HQ

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (July 19, 2005) — Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A has opened a new U.S. headquarters and Sales Service Training Center in Farmington Hills, Mich.

“In moving our U.S. headquarters to the heart of the automobile industry, we place ourselves in an excellent position to further expand our market share and better coordinate our manufacturing operations in the United States,” said Hideichiro Chikahiro, president of HMM. “Business-wise, being located in Michigan enables us to be within a close proximity to our core customer base.”

The new complex provides HMM, and its U.S. sales arm — Hino Motors Sales U.S.A. Inc. — the ability to leverage the skilled resources located throughout the region and expands its presence in the U.S. From this location, HMM coordinates management of its California and Arkansas manufacturing facilities; oversees product planning (including market surveying and research); quality assurance; purchasing and procurement; and houses all information technology functions, as well as legal, administrative and human resource operations.

The nearly 34,000-square-foot facility currently employs 20 people and plans to increase its staffing to 30 over the next three years.

Hino and HMM are affiliated companies of the Toyota Motor Corp. In 2004, Hino manufactured 93,500 trucks worldwide, 1,500 of which were produce in the U.S. Company officials project U.S. production to increase to 10,000 by 2007.