Japan’s gross exports in 2006 increased by 14.6% from the previous year, while gross imports rose by 18.3%. Automotive exports grew 19.7% to 16.2 trillion yen, thanks to expanding motor vehicle, motorcycle and parts exports. Meanwhile, automotive imports climbed 7.9% year-on-year to 1.4 trillion yen, thanks to expanding imports of both motor vehicles and parts.
Sales of Imported Vehicles Decline for Third Consecutive Year
Imported vehicle sales in Japan in 2006 totalled 262,000 units, down 2.3% from the previous year. Passenger car sales dropped 2.1% to 260,000 units, while commercial vehicles (trucks and buses) declined 19.8% to 3,000 units. Meanwhile, the number of imported used vehicles registered in Japan decreased 0.8% to 620,000 units, with passenger cars slipping 0.3% to 586,000 units but trucks climbing 17.5% to 11,000 units.
Motor Vehicle Exports Remain Strong
Exports of motor vehicles in 2006 rose for the fifth consecutive year, posting a 18.1% increase over the previous year to total 5.97 million units. Passenger car exports climbed 21.4% to 5.30 million units and bus exports grew 19.6% to 93,000 units, but truck exports declined 5.6% to 578,000 units. The total value of automotive exports expanded 15.5% to US$ 134.4 billion, with the value of automobile exports growing 17.8% to US$ 103.8 billion and the value of auto parts exports rising 8.4% to US$ 30.6 billion.
A Rise in Motor Vehicle Exports Worldwide, Excluding Asia and Oceania
Compared to the previous year, motor vehicle exports in 2006 dropped 9.2% to Asia and 1.3% to Oceania, but posted gains of 34.2% to North America, 28.8% to Africa, 16.0% to Latin America, 13.6% to the Middle East, and 10.8% to Europe.
