TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Domestic vehicle production climbed 6.8 percent from a year earlier to 924,897 units in May, a consecutive increase for 10 months and a 21-year high for the reporting month, thanks to robust export demand, an industry group said Friday.
By category, passenger car output went up 7.3 percent to 792,639 vehicles, increasing for 10 months in a row. Models with engines of more than 2000cc leapt 11.4 percent to 482,748 units, the highest ever for May, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said.
Truck production also rose 1.8 percent to 122,097 vehicles and bus production surged 29.7 percent to 10,161 units.
Exports jumped 9.5 percent to 528,617 units, extending the rising streak to 34 months on strong shipments, particularly to other Asian countries, the association said.
