Japan's 5 top automakers slash global output

Hit by global recession, Japan's five top automakers, including Toyota and Honda have slashed their worldwide output in April between 29.7 per cent to 54.3 per cent, according to industry data released here.

Among the five — Toyota Motor Corp, Nissan Motor Co, Honda Motor Co, Mazda Motor Corp and Mitsubishi Motors Corp — Mitsubishi had the largest cut of 54.3 per cent to 46,289 units, while Honda carried out the smallest cut of 29.7 per cent to 231,399 units.

Toyota's worldwide output declined 49.6 per cent to 366,125 units, Nissan's fell 38.2 per cent to 183,248 units, and Mazda's was down 43.8 per cent to 63,307 units.

Faltering private consumption in their overseas markets also dented their exports with the margins of fall ranging from 53.1 per cent at Mazda to 76.4 per cent at Mitsubishi.

Mazda's exports came to 39,670 units, while Mitsubishi's came to 9,436 units, Kyodo news agency reported.

Toyota's exports plunged 70.9 per cent to 69,194 units, Nissan's dropped 54.3 per cent to 30,670 units, and Honda's dived 70.4 per cent to 16,418 units.

However, the car-makers said they have made substantial progress in cutting back on inventories, suggesting that they may soften the scale of their worldwide output cuts in or after May.