Combined domestic production of eight major Japanese automakers in January increased 4.2% from a year earlier to 725,044 vehicles, up for the third consecutive month, due in part to solid sales of new models, data showed on Monday, according to local media reports.
Four of the carmakers reported increases, partly on export growth including to North America, Kyodo News said.
Nissan Motor’s production in January jumped 48.1% from the year before to 96,909 vehicles on strong sales of its revamped Note subcompact and Serena minivan. Its sales in Japan climbed 10.6% to 55,838 cars.
Honda Motor told the domestic news agency its output rose 1.7% to 62,889 vehicles due to the redesign of its Freed minivan and brisk sales of the N-Box minicar. Sales gained 16.2% to 59,512 cars last month.
Toyota Motor produced 249,821 units at home, down 3.7% from a year earlier, while its domestic sales rose 4.5% to 118,299 vehicles.
Mitsubishi Motors said domestic production fell for the 10th consecutive month, down 12.6% at 49,548 units, while its sales in Japan fell 21% to 6,806 vehicles as it continues to struggle to recover from a fuel economy data manipulation scandal.
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By GlobalDataFor overseas production, six of the vehicle makers reported gains, with Toyota’s production rising 4.8% as it started assembly of its new C-HR sport utility vehicle in Turkey.
Overseas production by Fuji Heavy Industries, maker of Subaru cars, jumped 66.1% as it has started producing its new Impreza model in the United States.
Suzuki Motor’s overseas output expanded 14.6% to 202,902 units, a record high for a single month, following increased production in India and Thailand, Kyodo noted.
The eight carmakers’ combined exports declined 5.7% to 299,263 vehicles, though Nissan’s exports soared 53.4% helped by shipments of the Rogue SUV to North America.