Japan Al Die Casting Output Increases by 7.6% in July

Japanese domestic production of aluminium die casting represented 7.6% year-on-year growth in July, according to the statistics announced by Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry. Total die casting production was 103,221 tonnes in July, which exceeded 100,000 tonnes for the first time since December 2007.Aluminium die casting output was 99,893 tonnes in July. The production increased by 9.9% year-on-year to 85,329 tonnes for automobiles while decreased for other applications; general machineries, electric machineries and motorcycles.Demand for die castings is expected to slow down toward October-December 2008. Automobile market is globally weakening, especially in North America, and the stagnancy would continue longer impacted by US financial crisis. Japanese export of automobile components, such as engines and transmissions, would decrease bound for car assembly plants in North America.