Hino to Build Medium-Duty Truck Plant in W.Va.

Japan's Hino Motors said it will spend $8.6 million to open a medium-duty truck assembly plant in West Virginia, which is scheduled to open in November.

The Williamstown, W. Va., factory will employ about 80 and will build 2,500 trucks a year, Toyota said in a statement Monday. Toyota owns controlling interest in Hino.

The plant will employ about 80 people who will build 2,500 trucks annually, the company said.

Although a Toyota release said the plant would produce both medium- and heavy-duty trucks, a Hino spokesman told Transport Topics on Monday that it would produce just Class 4-7 trucks.

At a ceremony announcing the plan Monday, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) said his state's strategic location is close to the company's customer base in the eastern United States.

By Transport Topics

Staff Reporter Fred Kiel contributed to this report.