Three out of the five leading carmakers in Japan registered an increase in global output last year, writes the UK`s Financial Times.
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According to the report, the world`s third-largest automaker Toyota increased production to 5.18 million vehicles, a rise of 9.5 percent. Recording its first increase in domestic production for three years, Toyota gained 43 percent of the Japanese market.
Nissan came second, reporting a 9.8 percent rise in global output, although the company now controlled by Nissan saw domestic production fall 4.4 percent. Domestic sales weakened for the fourth year in a row, with its market share falling to 17.8 per cent, half the figure of 10 years ago, writes the FT.
Global output for Honda rose 2.6 percent, with the company reporting a 2.4 percent increase in domestic production, but a 2.8 per cent drop in overseas output.
Mazda, 34 percent owned by US auto-giant Ford, saw output drop 3.3 percent, while Mitsubishi saw output slip 1.6 percent.
Export shipments for December fell 12.5 per cent, the fifth consecutive monthly fall, with the impact of the US economic slowdown cited as the influential factor.
Record car sales accounted for the strong output figures in the US, but the forecast for 2002 predicts decline, pointing to worsening prospects for 2001, says the FT.
