The latest word from Japan is that global production numbers are up – way up to record-levels, that is. All three of Japan’s top automakers – Toyota , Honda and Nissan – broke records for month of July production thanks to demand for fuel-efficient cars.
Toyota’s worldwide output was up 10.2 percent over a year ago to 812,147, Honda reported a 17.7 percent gain to 342,152 and Nissan produced 315,975 vehicles globally, a 26.8 percent increase. Mazda also reported an increase, up 25.5 percent to 126,025 worldwide. The only major Japanese automaker to report a drop in production was Mitsubishi , down 0.9 percent from July 2007 to 113,538.
Honda reported strong demand for its Fit subcompact, the best-selling car in Japan for the 9th month in a row. Nissan production was up thanks to high demand for the Altima and Maxima in North America and the midsize Teana in China (related to the Altima and Maxima). Mazda ’s gains came as a result of the new Mazda6/Atenza and the compact Mazda2/Demio.
Exports were down for Honda but up for Toyota and especially Nissan thanks to healthy demand in North America, Europe and Russia.
