Hino Renault 4CV (Hino-built) History

From April 1953 Hino produced the Renault 4CV under license from the French automaker, making it one of the earliest large-volume passenger cars assembled in postwar Japan. The agreement required progressive Japanese-content increases, reaching 100 percent local parts by 1957.

Over its ten-year run Hino built 34,853 units of the licensed 4CV. It gave the company crucial mass-production experience and directly funded the development of Hino's first home-grown car, the Contessa, which debuted in 1961. Production of the Renault-licensed car ended in 1963 as the Contessa took over.