TOKYO (Reuters) – Toyota Motor’s global production fell for a ninth straight month in October, due to major production declines in the United States and China, but the decline was mild compared with previous months.
The world’s largest automaker also recorded its first increase in five months for global sales, which grew 1.4% to 903,103 vehicles, a record for the month of October.
Toyota said Thursday it produced 893,164 vehicles worldwide, down 0.8%. This compares with a decline of 8% in September.
Production in the United States fell 13% due to a four-month production halt of the Grand Highlander and Lexus TX SUV models due to an airbag problem. Production of the models resumed on October 21, and production at the automaker’s Indiana plant is expected to return to normal in January.
In China, where competition against local brands remains intense, production fell 9%. Toyota also produced 13% fewer cars in Thailand amid weak demand.
In Japan, which accounts for about a third of Toyota’s global output, production rose 8%, rebounding from weak figures a year ago when an accident at a supplier led to a partial shutdown of production in several factories.
In Canada and Mexico, the automaker’s production rose 2% for both countries.
Production and sales figures include vehicles from Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus, but exclude the group companies Hino and Daihatsu.
(Reporting by Kantaro Komiya; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
