Monday, March 30, 2009

Japan's Vehicle Production Plunges 56.2% in February, Sales Down 24.3%

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association reported today that domestic vehicle production in February which includes passenger cars, trucks and buses, was recorded at 481,396 units, down a staggering 56.2 per cent compared to the same month of the previous year (1,098,245 units). Passenger car production in particular stood at 403,144 units or 57.4% down from February 2008. This is the fifth consecutive month of production decrease in Japan.

The country's exports, which account for more than half of Japanese vehicle production, summed up to 212,107 units in February '09; Compared with the 587,825 units total recorded for the same month of the previous year, this is a decrease of 375,718 units or 63.9%. North American exports were down 34.0% at 73,883 while European exports were 30.8% lower at 40,541.

Domestic sales in February 2009 stood at 380,582 vehicles, down 24.3% as compared with the same month of the previous year.

February 2009 Automobile Domestic Sales

Passenger cars

324,515 units, down 24.4%

Trucks

54,784 units, down 24.2%

Buses

1,283 units, down 3.7%


February 2009 Vehicle Production Figures by Type

1) Passenger cars: 403,144 units, down 544,016 units or 57.4%

Standard cars
(over 2000 cc)

159,748 units, down 409,119 units or -71.9%

Small cars

134,008 units, down 118,242 units or -46.9%

Mini car
(under 660 cc)

109,388 units, down 16,655 units or -13.2%


2) Trucks: 71,693 units, down 65,968 units or 47.9%

Standard truck vehicles

24,004 units, down 42,754 units or -64.0%

Small trucks

16,572 units, down 15,095 units or -47.7%

Mini trucks
(under 660 cc)

31,117 units, down 8,119 units or -20.7 %


3) Buses: 6,559 units, down 6,865 units or 51.1%

Large buses

744 units, down 439 units or -37.1%

Small buses

5,815 units, down 6,426 units or -52.5%


Automobile Export Figures by Export Destination (February 2009)

Units

Chg. from prev. year (%)

Asia

18,041

38.3

Middle-East

31,371

40.4

Europe

40,541

30.8

(EU)

31,982

42.1

North America

73,883

34.0

(U.S.A).

58,860

30.0

Latin America

15,720

36.5

Africa

12,960

46.6

Oceania

18,400

43.6

Others

1,191

110.2

Total

212,107

36.1