Japan Car Production Estimation Increases

Japanese car makers revise up the domestic production plan. The total production of Japanese automobile is revised the plan up to 2.45 million units for October-December as of the end of September, up by about 150,000 units from plan in August while the knockdown set production plan is increased by 200,000 units to 2.10 million units. Eco car and compact cars sales remains firm due to the subsidy and reduction of tax while the production of KD parts increases responding expanding sales in China.

Sheet steel supply would be tight due to the higher automobile production while Japanese steel makers increase the export to the highest level. Japanese crude steel output is expected to increase to more then 25 million tonnes for October-December.

Domestic car production is estimated at 2.55 million units while KD set is 1.97 million units for January-March 2010 as of end of September. Car makers increased the production plan by around 100,000 units for finished car and by around 150,000 units for KD sets from August plan.

However, sources see the production plan by car makers is the guide for parts markers. Car production could decrease while sources are concerned the firm sales of automobile is supported by the stimulus package.