Japan's vehicle output rises 19.7% in Feb.

TOKYO, March 30 Kyodo

Japan's vehicle output in February rose 19.7 percent from a year earlier to 952,268 units, marking the fifth straight month of increase, an industry body said Friday.

Output for passenger cars increased 19.4 percent to 818,817 units and truck production grew 23.9 percent to 23,772 units, both up for the five consecutive months, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said.

However, bus production fell 3.1 percent to 10,148 units, the first decline in nine months.

Exports in the month increased 5.3 percent to 454,449 units, up for the second consecutive month, the association said.