Hino

Hino Heavy Industry Co., Ltd was formed in 1942, in Hino, Japan, as a result of a spin-off from Diesel Motor Industry Co., Ltd. to produce diesel engines, buses and heavy-duty trailer-trucks. Some time later the Company dropped the word "Heavy" from its name to become Hino Industry Co., Ltd. in 1948 the name was changed again to Hino Diesel Industry Co., Ltd. Manufacture of passenger cars did not start until 1953 under license of Renault and in 1961 Hino launched its own car (Contessa). In 1967 Hino was incorporated into the Toyota Group and stopped production of passenger cars.