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