Vehicle output in May gained 6.1 percent from a year earlier to 774,039 units for the ninth straight monthly increase as carmakers continued to meet orders placed before the consumption tax hike in April, an industry body said Monday.
Car production climbed 6.1 percent to 655,032 vehicles and output of trucks rose 7.0 percent to 108,743 units while that of buses fell 5.9 percent to 10,264 units, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.
Vehicle exports fell 9.6 percent to 321,711 units for the sixth straight monthly drop, reflecting moves by automakers to shift their production overseas.
Car exports fell 11.1 percent to 276,797 units while truck exports rose 2.3 percent to 35,413 units. Those of buses decreased 3.8 percent to 9,501 units.