Honda Motor September 2003 Japan Auto Output -14.1% On Year

TOKYO October 23, 2003; Dow Jones reported that domestic auto production at Honda Motor Corp. fell 14.1% in September from a year earlier, but rose 2.9% on year at Mazda Motor Corp. , the two automakers said Friday.

Honda's local auto production totaled 105,561 units in September, while Mazda's was 76,915 units in the same month.

Overseas auto production at Honda leaped 19.7% on year to 157,263 units, while Mazda's overseas output jumped 26.5% to 21,241 units.

Domestic sales at Honda plunged 24.8% on year to 66,211 units in September, and dropped 4.1% at Mazda to 27,926 units.

Honda's exports declined 6.6% on year to 36,988 units in September, but Mazda's exports rose 6.5% to 62,120 units.