Data released by Toyota Motor on Thursday showed that global production fell for a ninth consecutive month in October, dragged down by sharp declines in production in the United States and China, but the decline was milder than in previous months. The company said global production in October was 893,164 vehicles, down 0.8% year-on-year, but slower than the 8% decline in September.
Toyota said global sales in October increased 1.4% year-on-year to 903,103 vehicles, the first increase in five months and setting a record for the same month in history.
Toyota's U.S. production dropped 13% after production of the Grand Highlander and Lexus TX SUV models was halted for four months due to airbag issues. Production of these models resumed on October 21, and production at Toyota's Indiana plant is expected to return to normal in January next year.
In China, competition with local brands remains fierce, with output falling 9% in October. Toyota also reduced vehicle production in Thailand by 13% due to weak demand.
In Japan, which accounts for about a third of Toyota's global output, output rose 8% in October, rebounding from weak data a year ago.
In both Canada and Mexico, Toyota's production increased 2% in October.
The above production and sales data include Toyota's luxury brand Lexus, but do not include sales of Toyota Group's Hino and Daihatsu.