The Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) disclosed that the country's vehicle
production rose 1.2 percent year on year to 5.2 million units in the first half of 2005 fiscal year.
Output of passenger cars rose 2.1 percent to 4.31 million units and that of buses jumped 28.1 percent to 38'199 units. However,
production of trucks fell 3.9 percent to 833'235 units.
JAMA indicated that auto exports during the period rose 1.6 percent to 2.5 million units due to consumers in
North America, who showed strong interest in fuel-efficient Japanese cars because of rising oil prices.
Exports of passenger cars increased 2.9 percent year on year to 2.14 million units in the six months.