Japanese truck maker Hino Motors, part of the Toyota group, is launching its premium range of trucks in the country, joining a growing list of firms, including Volvo, Tata Motors and MAN, who have recently launched their truck range in the fast growing Indian market.

Hino will initially import the truck chassis and cabin from its units in Thailand and set up manufacturing facilities once volumes pick up, a senior company official told. Hino had recently ended its technology tie-up with Ashok Leyland.

Globally, Toyotas marketing and sales network helps in the distribution of Hinos products. Hino Motors will, however, market the trucks in India through Japanese trading giant Marubeni, as Hino wants to have an independent set up in India.

The Japanese truck major is upbeat on the medium and higher end commercial vehicle, where sales have fallen in recent months with only the light commercial vehicle range, showing positive growth.There is demand for higher technology, premiumly-positioned trucks, and we see the market picking up,said the Hino official.