Acquisition of Hino Motors

In 2001, Toyota Motor Corporation deepened its longstanding relationship with commercial vehicle manufacturer Hino Motors by formally acquiring a controlling interest in the company. While Toyota and Hino had collaborated for decades—dating back to the 1960s—this acquisition marked a strategic move to integrate Hino more fully into Toyota’s corporate structure. With this move, Toyota aimed to strengthen its presence in the global truck and bus market, leverage Hino’s expertise in commercial vehicle engineering, and expand environmentally friendly technologies such as hybrid and fuel-efficient diesel systems. The acquisition aligned with Toyota’s broader vision to diversify its automotive portfolio and reinforce its leadership in sustainable mobility. Hino, known for producing reliable medium- and heavy-duty trucks, continued to operate under its brand but benefited from greater R&D support and access to Toyota’s hybrid and emissions-reduction technologies. As global demand for commercial vehicles surged—particularly in emerging markets—Toyota’s control of Hino positioned the group to capitalize on long-term trends in logistics, infrastructure, and clean transportation. The partnership continues to play a vital role in Toyota’s multi-segment dominance and its commitment to reducing emissions across all vehicle classes.