Auto exports declined for the seventh consecutive month in July, falling 6.3 percent from a year earlier to 370,663 units, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said Thursday.

Car exports came to 319,631 units, a year-on-year decline of 5 percent, while trucks stood at 47,104 units, down 14.5 percent. Bus exports, however, rose 3.5 percent to 3,928 units.

Exports to North America, marking the first year-on-year rise since December, were at 168,168 units, up 11.2 percent. The U.S. market accounted for 150,726 units, up 7.5 percent.

Exports to the European market marked their 21st straight month of decline, falling 29.3 percent to 77,158 units, with shipments to the 15-nation European Union at 66,646 units, down 28.5 percent.

Exports to Asian countries fell 25.5 percent to 29,304 units, while exports to the Latin American market dropped 5.2 percent to 27,869 units.

Among the 11 major automakers, Toyota Motor Corp. shipped 140,060 units in July, down 5.2 percent from a year earlier, followed by Nissan Motor Co. with 49,693 units, down 17.4 percent.

Mazda Motor Corp. placed third with 44,796 units, up 19.6 percent. Honda Motor Co. was fourth with 40,315 units, down 2.5 percent.