Toyota Motor Corp., the world's largest carmaker, led a sixth straight monthly increase in vehicle production in Japan as a global recovery spurred exports.
Output at the country's 12 vehicle makers in April rose 51 percent from a year earlier to 731,794 units, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said in a statement today. Exports surged 90 percent.
Japanese carmakers scaled back output a year ago, temporarily halting production lines to reduce inventory amid a recession. The companies are boosting production this year as demand recovers in the U.S. and Japan and continues rising in China, the world's largest auto market.
Toyota's domestic production in April rose 71 percent from a year earlier to 249,123 vehicles as sales increased 50 percent and exports doubled, the company said last week. Honda Motor Co., the nation's second-largest carmaker, said domestic output increased 30 percent to 74,398 as sales gained 9.5 percent and exports jumped 66 percent.
Nissan Motor Co., Japan's third-biggest carmaker, raised domestic output 74 percent to 86,180 vehicles as exports grew 70 percent.
