Vehicle Output Rises 5% in Japan

Automakers produced 736,000 cars, trucks and buses in Japan in August compared with 704,100 units a year earlier, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Assn.

Japan's passenger-car output increased 5% year over year to 634,800 units in August.

Toyota, Nissan and Mazda roughly doubled domestic output to 262,200 vehicles, 88,100 units and 66,500 units, respectively. Also boosting sales were Suzuki (+93% to 80,100 vehicles) and Honda (+ 123% to 69,500 vehicles).

Domestic passenger-car sales jumped 16% to 315,800 units.

But vehicle exports from Japan fell 5% to 344,000 units in August, ending seven consecutive months of year-over-year gains. Shipments to nearly every region were lower, including declines of 30% to the European Union and 22% to Latin America. Exports to the U.S. dropped 6% to 118,100 vehicles.