Japan's Automakers Continue Rebound, Toyota Unstoppable

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Japan’s automakers released global production and sales data for July today. It is an ancient Japanese tradition, which is also shared by large European carmakers, but shunned by most American globals. GM for instance reports only quarterly on a global basis, and keeps observers guessing in between. July data released by Japanese large automakers shows a strong rebound after last year’s multiple disasters. Honda looks especially strong, while Toyota’s march towards regaining the title “World’s largest automaker 2012” appears unstoppable.

Global Production Top Three Japan, July 2012July ’12July’11YoY7M ’127M ’11YoYToyota878,324678,91629.4%6,126,1014,054,60851.1%Nissan408,309


388,6805.1%2,961,5282,533,42416.9%Honda


345,180206,72767.0%


2,507,9951,509,44266.2%Source: Company data

Japan’s Top Three continue their strong recovery after last year’s tsunami. Hardest hit Honda is back very strong and is in shouting distance of Nissan. What makes Honda’s numbers especially impressive is the fact that its Thai hub was submerged by floods and closed until March of this year. Nissan’s numbers look weak because Nissan was least affected by the tsunami.

Top 3 World, July Production and Full Year Forecast7M ’127M ’11YoYProj ’12Toyota6,126,1014,054,60851.1%10,502,000GM5,619,0005,515,0001.9%9,633,000Volkswagen5,190,0004,750,0009.3%8,897,000Black: Company data. Blue: Projection, based on last availableToyota, GM: Production. VW: Deliveries. Forecast by TTAC

Tracking the race for world’s largest automaker, there is little change from last month. January through July, Toyota is half a million units ahead of number two which is some 400,000 units ahead of Volkswagen. This trend has been unchanged throughout the year . It most likely won’t change by year’s end – unless something drastic happens. Due to the non-publishing of GM numbers, they had to be projected for July.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

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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  • Chicagoland Chicagoland on Aug 29, 2012

    And to those saying 'Honda has lost its way', well they are crying...all the way to the banks! "Waaah, they killed the S2000!" Well, did you actaully ever buy one, new? They aren't in entertainment biz, to make cars to sit in showroom for fan-kids to drool over. Want to see more new 'sporty cars'? Go out and put $$$ where mouth is, and more will be built/sold.

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    • GarbageMotorsCo. GarbageMotorsCo. on Aug 30, 2012

      @bd2 How can their spending be higher than Ford when Honda doesn't sell big ticket F-series trucks which are constantly getting rebates? Please bring a source.

  • CelticPete CelticPete on Aug 31, 2012

    If you really value reliability above all else - one of those outdated non direct injected 4 speed cars like a Corolla or RAV4 will be to your liking. But its not proof that for EVERYONE a car is an just an appliance. Much like a Fridge or a PC might have some differenting characterstics - so can autos. Almost everyone can feel that a BMW drives much better then a Camry. Just because not everyone buys based on that is not a sign that the cars are only appliances. Actually how a car look, feels and drives is more important then ever because even 'unreliable' makes like VW can hold up for 100k miles.

  • Jalop1991 The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged due to suspected improper assembly by the supplier. Over time, partial engagement can cause damage to the intermediate shaft splines. Damaged shaft splines may result in unintended vehicle movement while in Park if the parking brake is not engagedGee, my Chrysler van automatically engages the parking brake when we put it in Park. Do you mean to tell me that the idjits at Kia, and the idjit buyers, couldn't figure out wanting this in THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE????
  • Dukeisduke I've been waiting to see if they were going to do something special for the 60th Anniversary. I was four years old when the Mustang was introduced. I can remember that one of our neighbors bought a '65 coupe (they were all titled as '65 models, even the '64-1/2 cars), and it's the first one I can remember seeing. In the '90s I knew an older gentleman that owned a '64-1/2 model coupe with the 260 V8.
  • SCE to AUX "...the complete Mustang model lineup to peruse"Will the fake Mustang show up, too?
  • SCE to AUX We don't need no stinking badges.
  • SCE to AUX I've never been teased by a bumper like that one before.
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