September 2005 Auto Production in Japan

Three Japanese Automakers Report Increase in Production; Two Manufacturers Reported Declines

TOKYO October 24, 2005; The AP reported that three of Japan's top five automakers said Monday that production in Japan rose in September compared to the same month a year ago while two manufacturers reported declines.

Production of autos in Japan inched up 0.3 percent on year for Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's No. 1 automaker, totaling 339,572 vehicles and marking the first rise in four months.

Toyota's exports rose 1.3 percent to 181,889 vehicles in September as rising exports to North America, South America and Oceania offset export decline to Europe and Asia, the automaker based in Toyota city said.

But Nissan Motor Co., the nation's second largest automaker, said its production in Japan fell 12.3 percent on year to 119,166 vehicles in September due to slower sales of the Cube compact car.

Honda Motor Co. reduced its production in Japan in September by 0.7 percent on year to 116,324 vehicles, marking the third straight month of decrease. The Tokyo-based automaker's exports fell 17.4 percent to 38,861 vehicles in September, as exports to North America and Europe declined.

Mazda Motor Corp., which is allied with Ford Motor Co. of the United States, said its September production in Japan rose 9.2 percent from a year earlier to 84,112 vehicles, gaining for the fourth consecutive month. The Hiroshima-based carmaker's sales in Japan were up 1.1 percent at 30,144 vehicles in September, for a seventh straight monthly rise.

Mazda's exports for September rose 27.3 percent to 58,299 vehicles as exports to the U.S., Australia and Canada grew.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s Japan production jumped 29.1 percent on year to 66,425 vehicles in the month, rising for the fourth straight month.