Mitsubishi Posts Decreased Production

Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi released yesterday its sales and production figures for the sixth month of the year, as well as for the first half of 2009. According to Mitsubishi figures, total global production for June came in at 57,791 units, a decline of 47.8 percent over June 2008 and the sixteenth consecutive monthly decrease since March 2008. In Japan, production fell by 54.9 percent, to 32,904.

Vehicle sales in Japan in June totaled 13,321 units, a 15.2 percent year-on-year decrease and the 22nd consecutive monthly decline since September 2007. Total exports from Japan of 14,584 units were 75.1 percent down on June 2008, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year decreases.

For the half year, total global production fell by 55.8 percent, compared to the same period of 2008. In Japan alone, production volumes decreased by 64.2 percent, with a 68.0 percent decrease in passenger car and a 28.3 percent decrease in commercial vehicle output.

The biggest slump in sales was recorded in North America, where Mitsubishi had to make due with only 5,064 cars built in the first half of the year. That number represents a devastating 84.3 percent fall. Mitsubishi blames this on slow sales and a three month halt in production.

In Europe, the decrease was much smaller, falling only 18.1 percent, to 24,806 units due to reduced production levels for January through March.

The only Mitsubishi plant to present an increase in production was South East Motor, in China. Unfortunately, its 65.3 percent growth was countered by the production outputs of other facilities in the region. This meant Mitsubishi's Asian output decreased by 35.4 percent.