Asia Times: Auto makers expect a more prosperous year



	January 26, 2000	atimes.com

Japan

Auto makers expect a more prosperous year
TOKYO - Ten Japanese auto makers expect higher domestic sales in the year 2000 due to demand for new models and an economic recovery, their business plans show.

Toyota Motor Corp targets sales of 1.8 million autos, up 8 percent from the previous year. The nation's top auto maker will release completely remodeled Corolla and Mark II cars as well as a new series of the popular Vitz subcompact.

Honda Motor Co is looking for sales growth of 7.7 percent to 760,000 vehicles, anticipating particularly strong demand for its new-look Civic.

Nissan Motor Co does not formulate business plans for the calendar year. ''We regard plans for the business year as more important,'' a Nissan official said.

Aggregate sales, including those of Nissan, will likely climb 2 percent to 6 million units, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).

Suzuki Motor Corp aims to sell 580,000 minicars, a level equivalent to the record marked the previous year. Minicar sales ran strong in 1999 thanks to the release of models conforming to new standards.

Six minicar manufacturers expect combined sales of 1.89 million units, or about 10,000 autos more than in 1999. Industry organizations are not so optimistic, however. JAMA estimates demand for minicars will total 1.75 million, with the Japan Mini Vehicles Association forecasting 1.8 million.

Four truck makers expect sales to rise 9.5 percent to a total of 83,600 vehicles. In 1999, sales fell below 80,000 units for the first time in 34 years. But anticipation of higher demand for freight transportation services has the manufacturers predicting a rebound.

(Asia Pulse/Nikkei)

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