Total worldwide production in July slipped 7.7 percent to 136,788 units. Of this, production in Japan dropped 2.6 percent to 64,753 units, marking the first decline in three months. Overseas production, meanwhile, was off 11.8 percent compared to July last year, coming in at 72,035 units for the third monthly decline. By area, Asia excluding Japan declined 11.7 percent to 48,506 units. North American production dropped 26.7 percent to 11,396 units, while Europe surged 23.9 percent to 6,756 units.

Domestic sales including minicars continued to climb, gaining 8.3 percent on July last year to 33,163 units. This marks the third straight month of gains. MMC's share of the domestic market grew to 6.3 percent in July, up from 5.8 percent last July.

Exports from Japan totaled 31,127 units for the month, down 13.1 percent compared to the same period last year. By area, exports to Asia came in at 3,867 units, North America 5,108 units, and Europe 13,192 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.

			July '03		Fiscal Year 2003 ('03/4-'03/7)		Calendar Year 2003 ('03/1-'03/7)
			Volume	YoY Chg. (%)	Volume	YoY Chg. (%)	Volume	YoY Chg. (%)
Domestic Production	Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles		54,953 9,800	93.1 131.6	196,561 31,126	99.0 115.6	374,050 56,985	98.0 100.4
	Total		64,753	97.4	227,687	101.0	431,035	98.3
Domestic Sales *	Passenger Cars	Registrations Minicars	9,919 14,376	127.6 104.3	35,839 45,229	153.7 92.6	78,868 94,111	147.6 88.7
		Total	24,295	112.7	81,068	112.3	172,979	108.4
	Commercial Vehicles	Registrations Minicars	1,883 6,985	84.6 102.2	6,558 23,877	75.4 101.5	13,086 44,117	74.2 94.9
		Total	8,868	97.9	30,435	94.5	57,203	89.2
	Registrations Total		11,802	118.0	42,397	132.4	91,954	129.4
	Minicars Total		21,361	103.6	69,106	95.5	138,228	90.6
	Grand Total		33,163	108.3	111,503	106.8	230,182	102.9
Exports	Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles		30,016 1,111	87.1 80.1	102,097 4,718	87.2 91.8	202,511 8,635	97.7 108.9
	Total		31,127	86.9	106,815	87.4	211,146	98.2
Production	Domestic Overseas		64,753 72,035	97.4 88.2	227,687 294,827	101.0 93.0	431,035 522,673	98.3 101.5
	Total		136,788	92.3	522,514	96.3	953,708	100.0

* Includes imports