Japan's Jan. Auto Production Falls 2.0%

TOKYO: Japan's automobile production remained sluggish in January, falling 2.0% to 754,151 units, due mainly to a sharp decline in exports for the month despite a rebound in domestic sales, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Assn. reports. Auto production fell 0.8% in December from a year earlier and rose 3.0% in November. The association said January auto sales in the domestic market rose 2.5% from a year earlier at 373,602 units. Also, auto exports are expected to have dropped by 15% on year in the month. The association released the following details on production by type of vehicle in units. Percentage change is from a year earlier:

All types of automobiles: 754,151 (down 2.0%)

Passenger cars: 618,372 (down 2.0%)

Trucks: 131,588 (down 1.8%)

Buses: 4,191 (down 4.8%)