Toyota, whose reputation took a hit this year from massive
recalls, said its worldwide production fell 8.7 percent from a year earlier to
656,924 vehicles. Production outside Japan rose 0.3 percent thanks to higher
output in South Africa and elsewhere in Asia.
The maker of the Corolla and Prius hybrid recorded a 9.4
percent fall in exports and a 35 percent slide in domestic sales, which tumbled
industrywide because of the expiration of government subsidies for eco-car
purchases.
Tokyo-based Honda Motor Co. produced 317,473 vehicles
globally in November, up 5.4 percent from a year earlier and the 12th straight
month of growth.
Production in China and Asia hit a record high for the company,
Honda said. In China alone, it made 61,955 vehicles, up 2.7 percent from the
previous year. Honda’s exports rose 71 percent, while sales in Japan plunged 37
percent.
Nissan Motor Co., based in Yokohama, Japan, made 372,106
vehicles during the month, up 19 percent and a record high for November, the
company said. Robust demand for the new March compact car and the NV200 van
drove China production up 19 percent on year to 91,633. That helped offset an
8.6 percent output decline in the US Among other automakers, Mazda Motor Corp.’s
global production jumped 22.6 percent to 120,991 vehicles in November.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. produced 103,848 vehicles, up 11.2 percent.
