(Nikkei: November 28, 2015 – p. 13)

 Domestic automobile output by eight automakers edged up 0.1% on the year to 767,725 units in October, returning to positive territory for the first time in 16 months. Toyota Motor enjoyed brisk domestic sales of new models. Mazda Motor and other firms expanded their exports. Though domestic sales continued to decline, output took a breather from cutbacks that had lingered since the tax hike in 2014.

 Toyota’s sales of Sienta minivans grew for the three months in a row. Mazda boosted Europe-bound shipments. Honda Motor saws domestic output slide for the 15th straight month, but output declines narrowed. Total exports by the eight firms also went up.

 Meanwhile, overseas output rose for the eighth straight month. Toyota’s production in Asia and Europe was especially solid and marked a single-month record there. Nissan Motor also saw output increase in Mexico and other countries and pulled off the highest-ever output in a single-month. (Abridged)