History of HINO
The Journey of Hino Motors
Since its founding, Hino Motors has supported the movement of people and things, technologies, products, and services, and Hino Motors itself has also evolved.
Its driving force to support society and people through logistics and transportation remains unchanged, despite the changing times.
Guided by this unchanging principle, we continue to support your business and contribute to society.
1910-1941Taking on challenges from point zero
1910
Tokyo Gas Industry Co., Ltd. (predecessor to modern-day Hino Motors)
1913
Company name changed to Tokyo Gas and Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
1917
Successful prototype of Japanese – made trucks
1919
Development of various TGE-type trucks
1930
Moving into manufacturing of buses
Adopted for Japan's first public route (Ministry of Railways) buses
1937
The Automobile Division of Tokyo Gas Electric Engineering Co., Ltd., Automobile Industry Co., Ltd. and Kyodo Kokusan K.K. were merged into Tokyo Automobile Industry Co., Ltd.
1941
Company name was changed to Diesel Motor Industry Co., Ltd.
1942-1960Moving into the era of mass transportation
1942
The Hino plant of Diesel Motor Industry Co., Ltd was made independent as Hino Heavy Industries Inc.
1946
Completed development of Japan’s first post-war heavy-duty trailer truck
1946
Company name changed to Hino Industry Co., Ltd.
1947
The release of Japan's first trailer bus was a breath of fresh air for urban transport
1948
First Japanese automotive manufacturer to separate manufacturing and sales From Hino Industry Co., Ltd. to Hino Diesel Sales Co., Ltd. and Hino Diesel Industry Co., Ltd.
1949
Hino listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange
1950
Started production of heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses (single-wheel type), release of Japan's first trolley bus
1953
Japan’s first center under-floor engine bus
Release of "Blue Ribbon" box-type bus
1953
Technical collaboration with Renault Started production of passenger vehicles
1958
Japan's first front-wheel two-axis cab-over 10-ton cargo truck released
1959
Hino Diesel Sales Co., Ltd. and Hino-Renault Sales Co., Ltd. merged to form Hino Motor Sales, Ltd. Hino Diesel Industry Co., Ltd. was renamed Hino Motors, Ltd.
1961-1991Hino brand dominates the Japanese domestic market
1961
Release of the Briska light-duty commercial vehicle and Hino’s first in-house passenger vehicle,Contessa
1962
First overseas sale company established in Thailand (now Hino Motors Sales (Thailand) Ltd.)
1963
RANGER medium-duty truck released
1963
Operations commenced at Hamura plant (Tokyo)
1964
Establishment of overseas service system
Field mechanic system started
Hino’s first overseas production company established in Thailand
1966
Business alliance with Toyota Motor Corporation
1971
Launch of the Red Engine, with superior fuel consumption, reliability, and durability
1971
Service staff from distributors supporting Hino compete in the service skills competition
1974
Hino Motors (Europe) established
1977
Changed the market for touring coaches Japan's first body-framed touring coach released
1980
Full model change for medium-duty trucks with release of KAZE-NO-RANGER SERIES
1980
Operations commenced at Nitta plant (Gunma Prefecture)
1981
Full model change for heavy-duty trucks with release of SUPER DOLPHIN PROFIA SERIES
1982
PT. Hino Motors Manufacturing Indonesia established
1985
Hino Diesel Trucks (U.S.A.), Inc. established in USA Operations commenced at Gozenyama Proving Grounds (Ibaraki Prefecture)
1986
Hidaka Delivery Center established
1988
Japanese sales of the RANGER Series reached 500,000 units
1990
Release of the S'ELEGA touring coach
1990
Hino’s first entry into the Dakar Rally
1991
Release of world-first* hybrid vehicle
* The world's first commercially available hybrid vehicle was released as a urban transit bus.
1992-2003Moving toward a 21st-century company
1994
New symbol mark adopted to take Hino into the future
1995
Full model change for small buses with release of LIESSE SERIES
1996
Hino Motors 21st Century Center established
(Hino Auto Plaza opened at the Center the following year)
1997
Hino monopolizes the Dakar Rally, winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the truck category
1999
Release of hybrid vehicle
1999
Hino Motors Co., Ltd. and Hino Motor Sales Co., Ltd. merged into Hino Motors Co., Ltd.
2001
Became a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation through private placement
2003
New light-duty hybrid truck launched, in compliance with Japanese new long-term regulations on exhaust emissions
2004-Creating a foundation as a global company
2004
HINO 600 Series released for North America
2005
HINO BLUE RIBBON CITY Hybrid non-step large-sized route-bus announced New HINO RANGER medium-duty hybrid truck announced, in compliance with Japanese new long-term regulations on exhaust emissions Full model change for touring coaches with Japanese new HINO S'ELEGA announced, in compliance with Japanese new long-term regulations on exhaust emissions
2005
Customer Technical Center established
2006
World-first* Pre-Collision System (PCS)** installed in HINO PROFIA HINO PROFIA heavy-duty truck announced, in compliance with Japanese new long-term regulations on exhaust emissions
* World's first commercialization as commercial vehicles（As of 2016. In-house research.）
**PCS ＝Pre-Collision System."PCS" is used for function explanation only.
2007
Operations commenced at West Virginia plant in USA (Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc.) Overseas sales overtake domestic (Japanese) sales
2008
Full model change to the HINO S’ELEGA large touring coach
2008
Operations commenced at Colombia plant (Hino Motors Manufacturing Colombia, S.A.) Established sales company, first entry into Russian market (Hino Russia)
2009
Production of light-duty trucks (HINO DUTRO and TOYOTA Dyna) commenced in Indonesia (P.T. Hino Motors Manufacturing Indonesia) Truck production commenced in Mexico (Hino Motors Manufacturing Mexico, S.A. DE C.V.) Joint venture company GAC Hino Motors Co., Ltd. began production of trucks in China Cumulative production of Hino trucks and buses reached three million units
2010
Toyota and Hino provided vehicles for fuel cell hybrid buses operating on public route between central Tokyo and Haneda Airport Hong Kong's first light-duty hybrid truck released
2011
Full model change for HINO DUTRO light-duty truck
2012
HINO PONCHO electric bus entered pilot service
2012
Operations began at Koga plant (Ibaraki Prefecture)
2013
Started services for light-duty EV trucks
2013
Cumulative sales of hybrid trucks and buses reached 10,000 units
2014
Driving seminars at Customer Technical Center exceeded 50,000 visitors
2016
25th anniversary of launch of HIMR Bus hybrid vehicle
2017
Full model change for HINO PROFIA heavy-duty truck and HINO RANGER medium-duty truck
2018
Demonstration test of traveling of trucks in a caravan with drivers in the second and following trucks Established NEXT Logistics Japan CO., LTD. Aiming to propose a New form of Logistics Volkswagen Truck & Bus＊ and Hino Motors agree to enter into a strategic partnership ＊Name changed to TRATON
2018
World's first commercial vehicle emergency stop system (EDSS) developed and installed in "HINO S'ELEGA." Began offering HINO CONNECT, a service for customers using ICT
2019
The Okochi Memorial Grand Production Prize was awarded for Koga Plant MONET Forms Capital and Business Partnership with Hino Motors and Honda Hino wins first prize in J.D. Power “Customer Satisfaction Survey”
2019
Japan's first HINO BLUE RIBBON Hybrid articulated bus announced HINO PROFIA Hybrid heavy-duty truck announced
2020
Hino Indonesia Marks 500,000 Unit Production Achievement Customer Technical Center exceeded 100,000 visitors Hino achieved top position for heavy and medium-duty truck sales in Japan for the 48th consecutive year (2020)
2020
Hino and Obayashi Corp. carry out automated large dump truck driving verification test at dam site
2021
Hino and Kansai Electric Power Company established new company "CUBE-LINX Co., Ltd." to resolve issues regarding management for optimizing commercial e-mobility operation and energy use Hino and REE signed business alliance agreement to create new value through next-generation commercial mobility Established sales company, Minami Kanto Hino Motor, Ltd.
2021
Release of 1.5 ton truck as HINO DUTRO light-duty truck series Started demonstration experiment of light-duty BEV truck
2022
Body application factory commenced at Koga plant
2022
Started demonstration experiment of optimal operation management of e-mobility by driving light-duty BEV truck
2022
Launched HINO DUTRO Z EV light-duty BEV truck
2023
Started providing operation management service for private paid passenger transportation.
