Toyota Motor June Japan Auto Output +6.7%; Honda Down

TOKYO July 28, 2003; Dow Jones reported that Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday its domestic auto output in June increased on year for the first time in two months, helped by solid demand in the Japanese and export markets.

Toyota's domestic auto production climbed 6.7% from a year earlier to 300,998 units in June, compared with a 3.6% drop in May.

Nissan Motor Co. said its domestic output grew 13.0% to 122, 340 units, rising for the 16th straight month, thanks to continued strong demand for its new models. Its Japan output rose 0.6% in May.

In the January-June period, Toyota's output in Japan rose 3.1% on year to 1, 768,832 units, while Nissan lifted its domestic production by 10.6% to 734,934 units.

Earlier Monday, Honda Motor Co. said its domestic auto output fell for the fifth straight month in June, due to ongoing weakness in its domestic car sales.