Vehicle sales in Japan in May totaled 14,496 units, a 14.2 percent decline year-on-year as higher registered vehicle sales failed to make up for a drop in mini-car sales. Registered vehicle sales stood at 4,871 units, 9.3 percent up on the same month last year. Mini-car sales declined to 9,625 units, 22.6 percent down.
Overseas production volume totaled 50,894 units, 0.9 percent down over May last year. Production in Europe came in at 6,080 units or 33.5 percent down on last year's figure, reflecting a drop in output of Colt 3-door and 5-door models at NedCar. Production in North American rose to 8,183 units, 1.5 percent up on the level seen last year. In Asia production rose to 33,483 units, 9.6 percent up on May 2006 and driven in part by a 71.5% rise in L200 pick-up truck exports from Thailand.
Total exports from Japan of 48,388 units were 40.4 percent up on May 2006, marking the seventh consecutive month of year-on-year increases. Exports to Europe increased to 21,426 units, a strong 70.3 percent rise that reflected firm sales of Lancer and Outlander models as well as brisk sales of Pajero and new Outlander models. Exports to Asia rose to 2,904 units, a 48.1 percent increase over the same period last year as sales of new Outlander in China grew briskly. Exports to North America fell to 3,746 units, 11.1 percent down on the May 2006 level.
