Japan's Auto Exports Fell 1.0% On Year In June

TOKYO July 29, 2003 Dow Jones reported that Japan's exports of cars, trucks and buses fell 1.0% on year in June to 389,453 units, down for the second straight month, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said Tuesday.

Weak exports to North America was the main factor behind the decline in June, offsetting the first rise in exports to Asia in two months.

In the January-June period, Japan's exports of automobiles rose 2.5% on year to 2.3 million units, marking the second consecutive year of rise, JAMA said.

The situation was even gloomier for June small-size and mini car exports, which slid 8.3% and 51.8% respectively. But exports of standard-size cars rose 9.1% on year.

Of the five leading Japanese automakers, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. fared the worst, with a 25.2% on-year fall in exports in June. Nissan Motor Co.'s exports rose 11.3% while Mazda Motor Corp.'s exports increased 8.6%.

A breakdown of vehicles is as follows:

June                  Units      Change On Year
   Overall            389,453         -1.0%
    Passenger cars    334,868         +2.5%
     standard-size    220,603         +9.1%
     small-size       114,238         -8.3%
     mini cars             27        -51.8%
    Trucks             51,080        -18.6%
     standard-size     45,097        -21.1%
     small-size         5,971         +6.9%
     mini trucks           12        +50.0%
    Buses               3,505        -10.9%

(standard-size cars and trucks are those with engine capacity of at least 2001 cubic centimeters (cc). Mini cars and trucks are those with no more than 660cc.)

By Destination          Units    Change on Year
   U.S.                135,853        -2.3%
   E.U.                 83,027        +2.5%
   Asia                 48,111       +13.1%
   Middle East          25,682       -12.6%
   Latin America        20,161       -15.3%
   Oceania              36,266        -4.7%