Japan's Auto Production Rose 3.9% On Year In June

TOKYO July 29, 2003; Dow Jones reports that Japanese output of cars, trucks and buses rose for the first time in four months in June, mainly driven by demand for new models in the domestic and export markets, industry data released Tuesday showed.

Overall, automobile output in Japan rose 3.9% on year to 874,876 units in June, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association said.

Domestic vehicle demand in June totaled 496,816 units, down 0.9% from the same month a year earlier, while vehicle exports fell 1.0% in the month, the association said.

Of the three main vehicle categories, production of trucks was the best performer, surging 11.6% on year to 153,665 units in June. Car output rose 2.6% to 716,699 units, while bus output fell 18.6% to 4,512 units.

In the January-June period, automobile production rose 1.6% on year to 5.135 million units, JAMA said.

Among the top five manufacturers, production at Nissan Motor Co. surged 13.0% on year in June, while Toyota Motor Corp.'s output was up 6.7% and Mazda Motor Corp. climbed 1.8%.

Honda Motor Co.'s output fell 16.8% on year in the month.

June                   Units      Change On Year
   Overall              874,876        +3.9%
    Passenger cars      716,699        +2.6%
     standard-size      312,279        +5.6%
     small-size         292,490        -1.5%
     minicars           111,930        +5.9%
   Trucks               153,665       +11.6%
     standard-size       68,639       +15.1%
     small-size          38,824       +24.1%
     mini trucks         46,202        -1.2%
   Buses                  4,512       -18.6%
     large-size             906       -14.9%
     small-size           3,606       -19.5%

(Standard-size cars and trucks are those with an engine capacity of at least 2001 cubic centimeters. Minicars and mini-trucks are those with an engine capacity of 660 cc or less.)