Description
The Hino Renault PA was a small car produced by Hino Motors under a licensing agreement with Renault during the 1950s. It was based on the Renault 4CV, a compact car originally developed by the French manufacturer Renault in the post-World War II era. The collaboration between Hino and Renault allowed Hino to manufacture and sell the PA in Japan, using Renault’s design and engineering as a base.
The Hino Renault PA featured a rear-mounted, water-cooled, four-cylinder engine with a displacement of around 750 cc. This engine provided modest performance, making the car suitable for urban driving. It was known for its compact size, economical operation, and reliability, fitting well within the growing demand for small, efficient vehicles in Japan during the 1950s.
The PA shared many of its mechanical components and styling cues with the Renault 4CV, including the distinctive rounded body shape and rear-engine layout. This partnership with Renault marked one of Hino’s early steps in car production before the company shifted its focus to producing larger commercial vehicles and trucks in later decades.
Today, the Hino Renault PA is a rare and interesting part of both Japanese and French automotive history. It represents the early phase of car manufacturing in Japan, influenced by European design and technology.