TOKYO (AP) - Most major Japanese automakers boosted production in Japan in October from the previous year, the companies said Monday, getting a strong lift from growing global demand for fuel-efficient models.
Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's top automaker, said its domestic production rose 15.9 percent on year to 364,777 vehicles, marking the 14th consecutive monthly gain.
But Japan's No. 2 automaker, Nissan Motor Co., saw its production in Japan for that month inch down 0.5 percent on year to 101,619 vehicles. Nissan has an alliance with Renault SA of France.
Domestic output at Honda Motor Co. jumped 23.7 percent in October on year to 122,814 vehicles, marking the fifth straight month of on-year growth.
Mazda Motor Corp., an affiliate of Ford Motor Co. of the United States, said its October output in Japan rose 17.8 percent from a year earlier to 84,116 vehicles, gaining for the 12th consecutive month.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said Japan production rose 16.6 percent on year to 68,389 vehicles.
The rise in production underscores overseas users' appetite for Japanese automakers' models with good mileage amid surging oil prices.