The combined domestic output of eight major Japanese automakers fell 3.2 percent in October from a year earlier to 743,086 vehicles for the first decline in three months, according to data from major automakers.
Six of the eight carmakers reported declines, with Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s domestic output tumbling 23.4 percent to 44,279 vehicles due to a temporary halt of minicar production in the wake of a fuel economy data manipulation scandal that erupted in April.
Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday its domestic output fell 6.1 percent in October to 260,426 vehicles, the first decline in three months, reflecting slower growth in exports to the Middle East and North America.
Domestic production at Suzuki Motor Corp. dived 13.3 percent from the year before to 62,206 vehicles due to sluggish sales of its minicars — or vehicles with engines no larger than 660 cc — since a tax hike on that vehicle category.
Nissan Motor Co.'s output at home jumped 36.6 percent to 95,490 vehicles thanks mainly to strong sales of its new Serena minivan, which is equipped with self-driving vehicle technology.
Exports by the eight automakers — which include Honda Motor Co., Mazda Motor Corp., Daihatsu Motor Co. and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the maker of Subaru-brand vehicles — totaled 403,354 vehicles, up 3.4 percent from the same month last year.
Honda's exports jumped 12.1 percent to 12,461 vehicles as the company shifted back to Japan production of Fit compact cars for sale in the United States and European markets.
Fuji Heavy Industries' exports leapt 23.1 percent to 57,661 vehicles on strong sales of sports utility vehicles in the United States, while Mazda Motor's exports increased 6.2 percent to 82,421.
The eight automakers' overseas output inched up 0.3 percent to 1,640,766 vehicles, according to their data.
The major Japanese automakers except Toyota released their production and export figures for October last Friday.