Total worldwide production in April decreased 1.6 percent to 125,740 units. Of this, production in Japan was off 5.3 percent at 50,217 units, marking the third straight monthly decline.

Overseas production, meanwhile, saw a slight increase of 1.1 percent to 75,523 units, up for the fourth consecutive month. By area, Asia excluding Japan rose 14.1 percent to 49,475 units. North America dropped 10.7 percent to 17,237 units and European production totaled 5,857 units, down 19.2 percent over the same month last year.

Domestic sales including minicars slipped 11.5 percent on year to 20,111, dragged down by softer sales of the eK Wagon minicar. Registrations, which exclude minicars, continued to grow, up on year for the fifth month thanks to the Colt compact car launched in November last year.

MMC's domestic share including minicars and imports declined marginally to 5.3 percent from 5.6 percent in April 2002.

Exports from Japan declined for the first time in thirteen months, dropping 3.1 percent to 26,943. By area, exports to Asia totaled 3,445 units, North America 8,062 units, and Europe 6,169 units. As a result of the spin-off of MMC's truck and bus operations in January 2003, regional year-on-year changes are not available due to a change in the system used to tally exports.

			April '03		Calendar Year 2003 ('03/1-'03/4)
			Volume	YoY Chg. (%)	Volume	YoY Chg. (%)
Domestic Production	Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles		44,366 5,851	95.9 86.3	221,855 31,710	96.7 86.6
	Total		50,217	94.7	253,565	95.3
Domestic Sales *	Passenger Cars	Registrations Minicars	5,839 8,163	111.6 79.3	48,868 57,045	138.3 84.4
		Total	14,002	90.2	105,913	102.9
	Commercial Vehicles	Registrations Minicars	1,425 4,684	59.8 97.3	7,953 24,924	70.2 89.7
		Total	6,109	84.9	32,877	84.0
	Registrations Total		7,264	95.4	56,821	121.8
	Minicars Total		12,847	85.0	81,969	86.0
	Grand Total		20,111	88.5	138,790	97.7
Exports	Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles		25,532 1,411	95.8 123.2	125,946 5,328	107.8 135.4
	Total		26,943	96.9	131,274	108.7
Production	Domestic Overseas		50,217 75,523	94.7 101.1	253,565 303,369	95.3 111.2
	Total		125,740	98.4	556,934	103.4

* Includes imports