Japan Automobile Output Up 4.2 Pct in September 2008

Tokyo, Oct 29, 2008; Automobile production in Japan rose 4.2 pct from a year before to 1,056,556 units in September, the first increase in two months, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said Wednesday.

Production of passenger cars increased 4.0 pct to 901,012 units. Truck production was up 5.3 pct at 142,385 units, and bus output was up 10.0 pct at 13,159 units.

JAMA also said automobile exports rose 6.1 pct to 615,922 units in September, the first growth in two months.

Exports of passenger cars were up 6.0 pct at 542,289 units. Truck exports rose 6.9 pct to 59,997 units, and bus exports grew 5.0 pct to 13,636 units.

In April-September, Japan's automobile output increased 5.6 pct from the same period the previous year to 5,790,964 units, the first increase in two years, JAMA said.

Half-year automobile exports gained 9.7 pct to 3,439,191 units, rising for the fifth consecutive year.