December 2006

Total global production came in at 109,960 units, 97.0 percent of the year ago period. Japanese production increased 17.7 percent year-on-year to 71,898 units, making the third consecutive month of year-on-year production volume increases.

Total vehicle sales in Japan reached 16,418 units, 15.7 percent decline over the December 2005 total. Registered vehicle sales declined to 4,794 units, or 58.0 percent of the year ago figure due to slower sales of Outlander and the Colt series. Minicar sales continued year-on-year growth however, increasing to 11,624 units, 103.6 percent of the total for December 2005. Total sales for passenger cars were 12,103 units, 85.7 percent of December 2005 level, and commercial vehicle sales were 4,315 units, 19.6 percent less than the level for the same period last year.

Overseas production for the month totaled 38,062 units, 72.9 percent of the year ago period figure. European production slightly increased to 4,886 units, or 107.4 percent of last year's total. North American production came in at 6,506 units, a 23.9 percent increase year-on-year. Asian production totaled 24,091 units, a 36.8 percent decline from December 2005's levels representing continued weakness in Asian markets such as Malaysia and Taiwan where economic conditions are not favorable for the industry.

Total exports from Japan grew in December 2006, up 38.6 percent over the pervious period to 38,606 units. Exports to Europe increased to 14,651 units, 179.9 percent of the same period last year due to strong sales of new Pajero and new Outlander models. Exports to Asia also showed strong growth, up 76.9 percent year-on-year due to the introduction of new Outlander into Chinese market and steady sales of Lancer in Singapore. Exports to North America came in at 3,653 units, 90.8 percent of the December 2005 total.

January - December 2006

In calendar year 2006, global production totaled 1,313,076 units, 96.4 percent of the levels seen in calendar year 2005. Japanese production came to 758,478 units, 14.1 percent increase year-on-year due to the sales launch of Outlander in overseas markets, strong sales of Lancer in Russian market, and steady sales of "i" minicar in Japanese market.

Japanese vehicle sales in calendar year 2006 reached 263,490 units, an increase of 7.9 percent over the year ago period. Registered vehicle volume declined 5.0 percent year-on-year to 78,752 units while minicar sales grew to 184,738 units, 14.5 percent higher than levels seen last year. Passenger car volume increased to 190,074 units, 116.4 percent of the total for the same period last year, and commercial vehicle volume declined to 73,416 units, down 9.2 percent over the comparable period last year. Market share for the period improved to 4.8 percent, an increase of 0.5 percentage points from last year.

Overseas production in the period dropped to 554,598, or 79.5 percent of the total for the pervious period. Production in Europe came in at 82,544 units, a 18.4 percent increase over the year ago total due to strong sales of the Colt CZC cabriolet model. Production in North America increased 5.6 percent year-on-year to 92,689, however Asian production declined to 339,685 units, a 31.2 percent decline from the total for the comparable period due to weak economic conditions in markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Lastly, exports from Japan totaled 406,238 units, a 15.2 percent increase over the total for calendar year 2005, marking the fourth consecutive years of year-on-year gains since calendar year 2002. Exports to Europe increased to 136,660 units, up 13.2 percent year-on-year due to introduction of new Pajero and Outlander models, and continuous sales growth in Russia and Ukraine. Exports to North America rose to 47,130 units, 109.7 percent of the year ago total due to improving sales in the US, Canada and Mexico. Finally exports to Asia totaled 31,512 units, 88.0 percent of the previous period total.