MOTORCYCLE – Japan’s 2004 Cycle Production Drops 3.1%, Exports Up 2.9%
Japan’s major motorcycle manufacturers produced 177,253 units during March 2005, down 4,699 units or 2.6% from the production of 181,952 units during March 2004, says the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), which also revealed production and export figures for the 2004 fiscal year — April 2004 through March 2005.
PRODUCTION, MARCH 2004 vs. MARCH 2005
Honda – 58,646, 54,322
Kawasaki – 21,974, 22,498
Suzuki – 48,873, 53,662
Yamaha – 52,411, 46,695
Manufacturers exported 128,833 units during March 2005, down 176 units or 0.1% from the 129,009 units exported during March 2004. JAMA says exports during the month were worth $818.17 million, including $682.35 million for vehicles and $135.82 million for parts.
Exports to the U.S. numbered 37,197 units during March 2005 and 36,078 units during March 2004.
2004 FISCAL RESULTS
For the fiscal year 2004, manufacturers produced 1,729,468 units, down 54,481 units or 3.1% compared to the production of 1,783,949 units recorded for fiscal year 2003, said JAMA.
PRODUCTION 2003 vs. 2004
Honda – 634,077, 563,244
Kawasaki – 206,088, 218,202
Suzuki – 404,644, 405,249
Yamaha – 538,346, 542,383
Exports during the 2004 fiscal year numbered 1,310,679 units, up 36,662 units or 2.9% compared to the 1,274,017 units exported during the 2003 fiscal year. JAMA says the value of the ’04 exports was $6.928 billion — including $5.483 billion for vehicles and $1.445 billion for parts — up $766.79 million or 12.4% compared to the $6.161 billion total recorded for fiscal 2003.
Exports to the U.S. numbered 538,436 units during fiscal 2004 and 533,363 units during fiscal 2003.
In other JAMA-related news, Yamaha Motor Co., recently said it provided the organization with wrong production, sales and export figures for the 11 months through February 2005.
The manufacturer said its computer system mistakenly counted some parts output as sets of parts for complete knocked-down, or CKD, production. CKD output is counted as unit shipments and production.
Yamaha made 495,688 motorcycles in the 11 months from April 2004 to February 2005, about a third less than the 746,892 units it originally reported to JAMA. The company also said it actually exported 436,970 motorcycles, 30% fewer than the 624,466 units originally reported.
JAMA says all current March 2005 and 2004 Fiscal Year production and export numbers for Yamaha are accurate.
