Hino Motors Manufacturing USA will invest an additional $70 million to add equipment to its 400,000 square foot plant in Marion, Ark.

Hino now employs more than 600 people at the Marion plant, more than double the expected number of 280 employees announced at the plant’s 2004 groundbreaking. That additional hiring laid the groundwork for the expansion, which will bring Hino’s total investment in the plant to $230 million.

Toyota is the majority owner of Hino, which makes axles and suspension components for Toyota Tundra pickup trucks.

“Our Toyota parts business is growing and expanding, and we are growing and expanding our Marion plant to accommodate it,” said HMMUSA President Hideichiro Chikahiro. “The new Toyota Tundra has been on the market for only four months, so there will be a lot of opportunity for this plant over time.”

The Marion plant opened in October 2006, and reached its production goal of 1,200 axles per day on April 25.

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