Hino has announced that it will begin producing a new line of Class 7 and 8 trucks at a new truck assembly West Virginia that will be introduced in 2019.
The new larger trucks will be powered by Hino’s A09 9-liter engine that is already sold in other markets globally. The engine will produce anywhere from 300-360 horsepower and the truck is scheduled to be publicly revealed at the NTEA Work Truck Show.
“These are truly exciting times for Hino in the U.S.,” stated Yoshinori Noguchi, CEO of Hino North America. “Our growth and customer acceptance in the Class 4-7 market are enabling us to introduce a wider variety of products.”
The new vehicles and facilities are part of a $100 million investment plan to strengthen its U.S. operations. Hino is purchasing the former Cold Water Creek distribution center and converting it into its new truck assembly plant in Mineral Wells, W.Va. The new plant is expected to be operational by 2019 and will also house cab assembly, an operation currently conducted in Japan.
As part of Hino’s growth plan, the company broke ground on a new corporate office in Novi, Mich., and is consolidating all operations into its new corporate headquarters including sales, marketing, service, engineering, purchasing, and manufacturing. Hino’s Insight Diagnostic Center, which monitors vehicle performance and uptime for all Hino trucks equipped with Insight, will also operate out of the Novi headquarters.
The new facility is expected to create 250 new jobs by early 2020.
“When a prominent international company such as Hino chooses to expand its operations here in West Virginia, with a $100 million investment, it really speaks volumes for our state, our workforce, and our future,” said West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice.
Hino Motors produces Class 6 and 7 conventional body style trucks in the 245,000-square-foot former Walker Systems building in Williamstown, W.Va. The Williamstown facility was the first transportation equipment assembly plant for Hino in the United States. Hino began rolling out its first trucks in November 2007.
“When the company was ready to consolidate operations in an expanded facility, West Virginia was ready to help find and secure the right site,” said Woody Thrasher, West Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce. “Hino’s expansion will return an existing structure to active production and create more good manufacturing jobs right here in West Virginia.”
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