Posted on: Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Japan auto production falls

Associated Press

TOKYO — Japan's production of cars, trucks and buses fell 4.3 percent in April from the same month last year, pushed down by sluggish demand in the United States and Europe, producers said Monday.

Production fell to 756,713 units for the fourth consecutive month of declines, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association said Monday.

The group said weak exports to the United States and Europe, a continuing shift by Japanese car companies to overseas production, and flat domestic demand were behind the decline.

The association estimated vehicle exports in April fell about 10 percent.

Passenger cars were the weakest part of the industry, particularly production of minicars, which plummeted 6.9 percent. Buses, however, sold well, with large-sized models increasing 44.6 percent. Production of trucks fell 3.3 percent.