Japan Car Output Reaches Over 4.8M in 2H of F2009

Japanese automobile output is expected to reach above 4.8 million cars in the last half of fiscal 2009 (October 2009-March 2010), which would increase by about 1 million cars from the first half year while decrease by about 25% from the last half of fiscal 2007. In August, Japanese car sales increased for the first time in 13 months. On the other hand, car sales may turn down because consumers utilized governmental stimulus measure during the first half of fiscal 2009. Japanese integrated steel makers carefully forecast the car output in future.

Japanese finished car output is expected to total 1.711 million for April-June and 2.13 million for July-September. Knockdown set output would total 1.551 million for April-June and 1.98 million for July-September. Automakers reduced the output to adjust inventory for April-June and increased the output for July-September. Small car sales have increased by tax reduction from April.

Automakers’ completed car output plans are estimated to total 2.28 million for October-December and 2.45 million for January-March 2010. Their knock down set output plans are estimated to total 1.88 million for October-December and 1.84 million for January-March.

Japanese integrated steel maker source said completed car sales increases to 4.8 million in fiscal 2009. In USA, car sales reached 10 million in July but scrap incentive measure ceased on August 24. Japanese car export is inactive such for Southeast Asia.