Automobile production in Japan in April increased 2.7 times year on year to 799,474 units, up for the seventh straight month, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) said.

The growth, the biggest since records began in 1966, came as a sharp rebound after a plunge in April 2011 in the aftermath of the 11 March earthquake and tsunami that shattered parts supply chains, Jiji Press said.

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The latest production figure even exceeded the April 2010 level of 731,829 units, illustrating the steady recovery of domestic vehicle production.

Production of passenger cars jumped 2.7 times to 692,011 units, and truck production grew 2.4 times to 97,895 units. Bus production came to 9,568 units, up 4.9 times.

Production of motorbikes was up 1.2% at 44,267 units.

Automobile exports from Japan rose a record 3.1 times to 402,389 units in April, JAMA said.

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