Japan automakers' global sales to hit 20 mil. for 1st time in 3 yrs+

TOKYO, May 22 Kyodo -
Global sales of Japan's seven major automakers are expected to amount to 20.21
million units in the year through next March, the first time for the number to
clear 20 million in three years, according to their sales plans compiled by
Saturday.
All the car markers save industry leader Toyota Motor Corp. are bullish about
their sales prospects on anticipated robust demand in China and other emerging
economies as well as in North America.
Among them, Nissan Motor Co. expects global sales to reach an all-time peak of
3.80 million units, up 8.1 percent from the previous year. Honda Motor Co. also
anticipates sales will total 3.62 million units, up 6.6 percent.
Both Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. expect double-digit
growth for the year -- 1.12 million units, or an increase of 16.8 percent, for
the former and a record 630,000 units, or a rise of 11.9 percent, for the
latter.
Factoring in solid growth in India and Southeast Asia, Suzuki Motor Corp.
projects sales to hit 2.48 million units, up 5.7 percent. Mazda Motor Corp.
forecasts sales of 1.27 million units, up 6.4 percent.
Toyota, reeling from recent massive recalls of some of its models, sets its
sights low at 7.29 million units of sales, a modest rise of 0.7 percent.
But one auto analyst said Toyota's forecast is too low, adding that the car
maker will be able to market more cars in Asia and North America than it
anticipates.
The seven automakers' global sales declined for the second year in a row
through March this year amid the global financial crisis and resultant economic
downturn.
==Kyodo
2010-05-22 23:12:47


Delete & Prev | Delete & Next
Move to: