November Sales and Production from the Japanese carmakers

12/24/96

Nikkei English News reports that November's results for Production and Sales were mixed among the Japanese automakers, with Toyota, Honda, and Mazda showing rises in both sales and output. Nissan and Mitsubishi both saw declines.

The November figures mark the third consecutive month in which Toyota experienced growth in auto production. The carmaker claimed a domestic market share of 45.7% for the month, up from 39.7% on an aggregate basis through November. Toyota's exports to the U.S. declined 1% year-on-year to 37,267 vehicles. The company boosted its production of new models and total exports increased 4.5%.

Honda reports that its November automobile production rose 29.2% from a year earlier to 102,441 vehicles, that its domestic sales grew 25.0% to 72,354 vehicles, and that its November exports climbed 17.1% year-on-year to 34,460 units. The company attributed its results to the popularity of newly released models and noted that its cumulative domestic sales for the eleven months ending in November have surpassed full-year sales for 1995.

Mazda reported a year-on year hike for both production and domestic sales in November.

Nissan reported decreased year-on-year production for the fourth consecutive month in November, while its domestic market share fell 2.1 points to 18.3% for the fifth declining month.

Mitsubishi said its year-on-year output fell 9.6% to 96,398 vehicles, its first drop since August, and attributed the decrease to slackening demand for its sports-utility vehicles. The company says its domestic sales rose 0.8% to 61,797 vehicles in November and that its exports increased by 15.3% to 39,912 units for the month.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel