2008.12.2502:08:00UTC+00Japan Auto Production Decline On Weaker Exports

Japanese vehicle production tumbled in November as overseas demand weakened further amid the global economic slowdown.

Thursday, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association or JAMA announced that the country's automobile production declined 20.4% year-on-year in November. According to the Nikkei daily, this was the biggest fall on record. Production dropped for the second month in a row. In October, automobile production was down 6.8%.

Production of trucks fell 20.9% in November, while that of buses slid 16.3%. The number of vehicles produced totaled 854,171 in November compared with 1,072,519 in the same month last year.

Automobile exports plunged 18.1% year-on-year in November, after falling 4.2% in October. Exports declined for the second straight month. The number of vehicles exported in November was 491,990 units versus 600,422 units last year. Exports to the US dropped 30%.

Among manufacturers, Toyota and Nissan recorded major decline in production in November. Output fell about 27% for Toyota, while for Nissan it was down nearly 36%.

Domestic sales fell 18.2% year-on-year in November and totaled 368,884 units.

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