Japanese Automakers’ Global Sales Fall 2.3 Pct in Jan.-June

Tokyo, July 31 (Jiji Press)–Global vehicle sales at eight major Japanese automakers fell 2.3 pct from a year earlier to 11.92 million units in January-June, data from the companies have shown. Six of them incurred a decline due to sluggish overseas sales, especially in China. Sales at Toyota Motor Corp. slid 2.9 pct, posting the first drop in two years for the first half. In contrast, Suzuki Motor Corp.’s global sales hit a record high for the January-June period following robust demand in India. Daihatsu Motor Co. also posted global sales growth as its redesigned Move minivehicle sold well. Total overseas sales at the eight automakers dropped 3.2 pct, with seven of them recording a drop. Sales in China skidded 34.6 pct at Honda Motor Co., 17.1 pct at Toyota and 15 pct at Nissan Motor Co. Japanese automakers continue to struggle in China, where the new vehicle market is sluggish and demand for gasoline-powered vehicles is weak amid rising fuel prices. Amid the Middle East tensions, Toyota’s sales in the region plunged 21.6 pct. Global vehicle production by the eight companies inched up 0.8 pct to 12.03 million units. Total exports grew 1.3 pct, driven by robust shipments to North America. In June alone, the eight automakers’ combined global vehicle sales rose 1.5 pct to 2.02 million units thanks to domestic sales growth led by new models, including Honda’s Super-One electric vehicle and Mazda Motor Corp.’s CX-5 SUV. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]