JAPAN VEHICLE PRODUCTION FALLS IN FEBRUARY
Japan's vehicle output in February fell
0.4 pct from a year earlier to 1.03 mln units for the fifth
consecutive monthly year-on-year drop, but February output was
up 10 pct from a month earlier, the Japan Automobile
Manufacturers Association (JAMA) said.
    February car production totalled 651,253 units, up 0.4 pct
from a year earlier, trucks 375,899, down 1.8 pct, and buses
4,230, up 10.3 pct, he said.
    Vehicle exports are expected to show a seven pct
year-on-year drop in February when figures are announced on
March 27, a JAMA spokesman said.
    The JAMA spokesman blamed slow sales to southeast Asia, the
Mideast and other countries except the U.S. And Europe.
    February motorcycle output fell 32.9 pct from a year
earlier to 224,312, the 13th straight year-on-year drop, but
was up 4.2 pct from a month earlier, he added.
    Motorcycle exports are expected to show a 26 pct
year-on-year fall in February, he said.
 REUTER
