Japanese Car Companies Step Up Overseas Production
As a further sign that (most) of the world is slowly crawling out of the dumps, Japanese car companies report (sometimes sharp) increases in overseas production, says The Nikkei [sub].
Honda reported today that its overseas production jumped 65.8 percent on the year to 255,654 units in March. That’s up for the fifth straight month and marks an all-time March high for Honda. In the U.S., Honda built 110 percent units more than in the dark days of March 2009. Production “in Asia” grew a moderate 35.1 percent to 99,277 units.
Also today, Suzuki said its overseas output grew 17.1 percent to a record 1.586 million units in fiscal 2009 (ending March 31.) This was their first expansion in two years.
Toyota’s overseas production rose sharply in March by 81 percent. Exports rose 99.8 percent. For the full fiscal, Toyota’s overseas production rose a moderate 9.2 percent. Worldwide production for the full fiscal was 8,150,542 units.
Mazda and Fuji Heavy also saw their overseas production rise in fiscal 2009.
It’s safe to go out again. The sky stopped falling.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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Interesting ergonomic devices.
Glad you noticed them
How do they keep their coveralls so white?
I'll bet the ergo devices quick-change into an Iron Man suit. Or maybe just a Segway.