Toyota, Nissan, Honda Boosted Production

TOKYO March 28, 2005; The AP reported that three of Japan's five major automakers boosted their production in Japan in February compared to the same month a year ago, the manufacturers said Monday.

Toyota Motor Corp., the nation's top automaker, boosted its domestic production in February 10.4 percent on year to 342,657 vehicles, marking the second consecutive month of increases. Toyota's exports grew 10.2 percent to 169,282 vehicles, and its overseas production was up 13.4 percent at 260,972 vehicles.

Nissan Motor Co. said its production in Japan rose 7.0 percent on year to 148,764 vehicles, the second straight month of rises, while its exports rose 7.7 percent to 64,272 vehicles. Overseas production for the month for Nissan, which is affiliated with Renault SA of France, rose 14.4 percent to 167,640 vehicles.

Honda Motor Co.'s domestic production in February climbed by 9.4 percent on year to 114,576 vehicles, marking the fourth straight month of gains due to strong demand for exports.

It boosted exports by 21.3 percent to 48,254 vehicles, mainly because of strong exports to North America as sales of its Acura RL and its Accord gasoline-electric hybrid model remained strong. Honda raised overseas production 11.2 percent to 165,960 vehicles for the 13th straight month of increases.

Japanese production for Mazda Motor Corp., 33.4 percent owned by Ford Motor Co. of the United States, fell 1.3 percent in February from the same month a year ago to 66,614 vehicles.

That marked the third consecutive month of declines stemming from a plant fire in mid-December that forced Mazda to halt part of its domestic production lines.

Mazda said its overseas output in February increased 4.9 percent to 21,436 vehicles, rising for the first time in two months. Exports fell 18.1 percent to 38,151 vehicles.

Scandal-tainted Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said its production in Japan fell 19.3 percent on year to 54,135 vehicles for the 10th straight month of declines as its domestic sales and exports dropped. Its exports fell 1.1 percent to 28,788 vehicles and its overseas production fell 7.5 percent to 54,938 vehicles.