Japanese automakers increse their global production, but Mazda

As Honda Motor Co. reported double-digit increase on its global production in May, Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors also said they had output gains. But Mazda’s output fell 2.1 percent.

Honda, Japan's second-largest car maker, said global production climbed 10.9 percent to 329,507 vehicles in May, the 22nd straight monthly gain.

Output in Japan rose 11.8 percent to 105,188 vehicles for the 12th consecutive month of rise, while Honda's overseas production rose 10.4 percent to 224,319 units for the 22nd straight monthly advance on higher production in North America, Europe and the rest of Asia.

Toyota Motor Corp., zeroing in on General Motors Corp.'s spot as the world's largest automaker, said its global production surged 9.8 percent to 702,382 vehicles in May from the year before on robust demand for its Camry, Lexus and hybrid cars, such as the Prius.

Toyota's domestic production totaled 322,841 units, up 7.9 percent, while overseas output climbed 11.5 percent to 379,541 vehicles.

Nissan Motor Co. said its worldwide production rose 6.9 percent to 262,572 vehicles, with an increase in overseas output offsetting a decline in the smaller domestic market. Domestic production by the Nissan, 44 percent owned by Renault SA of France, fell 12.3 percent to 71,489 vehicles, but its overseas output surged 16.4 percent to 191,083 units.

At Mitsubishi Motors Corp., global production totaled 108,426 vehicles, up 6.5 percent. Domestic production increased 14.1 percent to 57,532 units, for an eighth straight month of growth on year.

Overseas production was down 0.9 percent to 50,894 vehicles, with production in Europe posting a 33.5 percent drop, while output in North American gained 1.5 percent.

Mazda Motor Corp., an affiliate of Ford Motor Co., said global production fell 2.1 percent to 92,416 vehicles. Domestic production rose 8.0 percent to 73,175 units due to healthy output of the Mazda3 and Mazda5 models.

Mazda's overseas production fell 27.9 percent to 19,241 vehicles because of reduced production of models, including the Mazda6, despite increased output of the Mazda3 model, the Hiroshima-based company said.