Total global production totaled 107,192 units, 88.3 percent of the previous year total. Japanese production reached 62,571 units, a small decline of 2.1 percent from the year ago period.

Total vehicle sales in Japan came to 21,029 units, a 3.3 percent increase year-on-year, making July the fifteenth consecutive month of year-on-year sales growth in Japan. Total sales for passenger cars came to 14,329 units, up 7.8 percent over the July 2005 total on sales of new models, while commercial vehicle sales fell 5.2 percent over the previous year to 6,700 units. The decline in commercial vehicles stemmed from lower sales of the Pajero and Delica models which will undergo model changes later this fiscal year.

Overseas production for the month totaled 44,621 units, 77.6 percent of the total for July 2005. European production showed a 44.9 percent increase year-on-year to 6,495 units due to brisk sales of the new Colt CZC cabriolet model. Asian production totaled 27,106 units, 67.0 percent of the year ago total due to unfavorable economic conditions in markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Lastly, North American production fell slightly to 7,585 units, down 2.2 percent over the previous period total.

Total exports from Japan grew strongly year-on-year to 36,068 units, up 13.6 percent. Exports to Europe increased a small 2.9 percent over July 2005 to 12,447 units and exports to Asia came to 2,819 units, 76.8 percent of the year ago total. Similar to Asian production, the decline in exports to Asia stemmed from poor economic conditions for the industry. Exports to North America remained stable at 5,055 units, 100.5 percent of total for July 2005.