Japan Automobile Output to Decline Slightly in 2H

Japanese automobile output is expected to decrease to around 2.29 million units in domestic finished car in October-December based on major makers’ plans as of mid-October, which is lower than planned just more than 2.3 million units in late August. The makers now plan to make around 2.48 million units in January-March, which is also around 30,000 units lower than plan in August.

The automobile production was expected to decrease after Japanese government finished eco-friendly car purchase subsidiary on September 7. The expectation is getting real when automakers revise the production plan downward.

Japanese automakers plan to make knockdown sets at around 2.2 million units in October-December and 2.16 million units in January-March as plan in late August.

The Japanese finished car output increased by 24.1% to 4.784 million units in first half of fiscal 2010 started April from the same period of fiscal 2009, which increased for the first time in 2 years as first half year, according to Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. The export increased by 34.2% to 2.376 million units.