Japanese automobile manufacturers' Chinese production and sales volumes recovering to normal levels

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai January 13) - Following months of sharp decline following political tensions, sales of major Japanese automobile brands in China have finally starting recovering. According to a report appearing in China Business News today, representatives from Dongfeng Nissan, Dongfeng Honda and Guangqi Toyota have all stated that their sales have recovered to levels seen before September of last year. Furthermore, the above joint ventures' factories have resumed a double shift production cycle in order to keep up with high demand.

"The number of orders our dealerships received in December was over 80,000, [which signifies that we] have recovered nearly 100 percent," a representative from Dongfeng Nissan said. Statistics show that over 90,000 Nissans were sold in the country last month.

Dongfeng Honda was reported to have sold 30,002 vehicles last month, representing year-on-year growth of 12 percent. The JV's cumulative sales for the year totaled 282,172 units, representing year-on-year growth of 10.5 percent. According to internal sources, Dongfeng Honda's sales had begun recovering as early as November. In early December the JV's two factories returned to a normal double shift production cycle.

Guangqi Toyota's representatives made similar statements. Meanwhile, Guangqi Honda announced that they will reinstate a double shift production cycle for their factories later this month.

Toyota, Honda and Nissan's total Chinese sales for 2012 fell short of expectations, due mainly to the sales declines they all suffered in the latter half of the year. The three manufacturers reported selling 840,000 vehicles, 596,577 vehicles and 118,000 vehicles over the course of the year, respectively.