Japan's vehicle output up 53% in 1st half.

TOKYO, July 30 Kyodo

Production of cars, trucks and buses in Japan in the first half of this year rose a sharp 53.0 percent from a year earlier to 5,248,004 units, rebounding from a plunge after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, an industry body said Monday.

Car output expanded 54.9 percent 4,530,317 vehicles, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said. Truck production increased 41.7 percent to 658,229 vehicles and bus output expanded 47.9 percent to 59,458.

In June alone, vehicle output rose 20.3 percent from a year earlier to 893,149 units, the ninth straight month of increase.

Car production increased 23.9 percent to 769,251 vehicles, including 153,532 minicars, up 60.0 percent. Truck production rose 2.0 percent to 113,579 vehicles, while bus output fell 1.6 percent to 10,319.