Big Three Say Target for Auto Export to Japan has been Reached

12/03/96

Nikkei English News reported that the Big Three U.S. carmakers announced that they had achieved their 1996 automobile export for Japan by the end of October. The 100,000-vehicle target was part of a trade pact between Japan and the U.S.

Cumulative January to October auto exports from U.S. carmakers to Japan rose to 103,460 units, up 23.8% over what it had been during the same period during the previous year. The rise did nothing to still U.S. criticism of Japan's failing to increase the number of Japanese car dealers handling U.S.-made models.

The American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA)--the lobbying body of the Big Three--said it hoped that exports from the U.S. to Japan would rise to 180,000 units by the end of 1998. It forecast that overall Japanese automobile imports would rise to to 300,000 units by the end of 1999.

The AAMA said more sales outlets for foreign vehicles would be needed to achieve the increase, and that it was worried about achieving the U.S. government-set target of 200 dealerships handling U.S. cars in Japan by the end of December.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel