Toyota's global sales accelerate

Tokyo - Toyota on Tuesday said its global sales jumped 16.9% in the first half of the year despite worldwide safety recalls, as a recovery in the Japanese auto industry strengthened on surging demand.

The Toyota group, which includes brands Daihatsu and Hino trucks, said it sold 4 165 590 units for the six months to June.

Its global production gained 46.8% to 4 356 597 units from a year earlier, when the industry was in the grip of the financial crisis.

"We are now monitoring a firm recovery from our slump last year," a Toyota spokesperson said.

In June alone, its global sales rose 12.0% to 723 512 units with worldwide production up 16.2% at 739 683, it said.

Toyota's sales have posted healthy growth from last year's mid-crisis lows despite the company pulling around 10 million vehicles worldwide since late last year for safety issues.

Other Japanese makers also reported sales and production gains on Tuesday as the industry rebounds on stronger global demand, helping drive Japan's export-led recovery from deep recession.

Second-largest maker Honda Motor said its January-June domestic sales rose 20.4% to 339 181 as global production for the six months gained 36.7% to 1 801 329. It did not give global sales figures.

In June alone, Honda marked its 12th straight monthly increase of domestic sales, which rose 18.5% on-year to 60 295, while production was up 17.7%.

Third-largest Nissan said its global sales jumped 29.8% to 2 007 609 for the six months, while first half output was up 61.9% at 1 930 103. In June, Nissan's global sales rose 23.7% to 339 320 with production up 38.8%.

  - AFP