MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – East met West at the opening of the new Hino Motor Sales Canada Mississauga, Ont. facility recently.

The new Hino headquarters at 395 Ambassador Dr., officially opened July 19 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a traditional Japanese kegami wari cask breaking.

More than 50 people were on hand to watch as the wooden lid of the sake cask was broken open by Tadaaki Jagawa, board chairman for Hino Motors, and David Worts, executive director for the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association of Canada.

The ceremony is believed to bring the blessings of health, happiness and prosperity.

Hiro Omori, president of Hino Motor Sales Canada spoke of the company’s success in Canada over the past 30 years.

“Last year Hino set its all-time Canadian sales record and we will now move forward with our planned aggressive growth in the mid and long term,” said Omori. “This growth will be fueled by our new conventional style truck – the 2005MY.

“We take pride in the business relationships we have established with our dealers, suppliers and customers and are looking forward to an even brighter future working together,” added Omori.