24/07/2008 19:39. July 24 (Bloomberg) -- Hino Motors Ltd. , Japan's largest maker of heavy-duty trucks, posted a 25 percent drop in first- quarter operating profit because of lower domestic sales and a stronger yen, while also saying profit targets may be lowered because of plant shutdowns.

Operating profit for the three months ended June 30 fell to 7.36 billion yen ($68.2 million) from 9.84 billion yen a year earlier, Tokyo-based Hino said in a statement today. Total sales rose 3.2 percent to 319 billion yen.

Hino, 50 percent owned by Toyota Motor Corp. , sold fewer vehicles in Japan as bus and transport companies cut spending amid record oil prices. The yen was 16 percent stronger against the dollar in the quarter, eroding a 28 percent gain from overseas sales, Hino said.

``The business environment... // Bloomberg