By Dan Eaton

Aug 9, 2013

More Japanese vehicles than ever sold in the U.S. are actually made in the U.S.

The share of Japanese brand vehicles sold in the U.S. that were made here reached 70 percent last year, up from 68 percent in 2011. That was one of several records reached by Japan’s automakers for U.S. production, according to the U.S. office for the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association.

The trade group released its 2012 North American data for the industry and several key measures improved in 2012, not surprising since production in the prior year was marred by multiple overseas disasters that hampered suppliers – most notably the March 2011 Japan earthquake.

Other records for the industry included Japanese purchases of U.S. auto parts rising to $51.3 billion last year from $43.2 billion in 2011.

And U.S. exports from Japanese plants in the U.S. jumped to 335,680 in 2012 from 259,908.

In addition, production in Japanese plants in the U.S. increased to 3.3 million versus 2.4 million in 2011.

“From production to exports, parts and employment, the Japanese auto industry continues to make a dynamic contribution to a recovering American economy,” Ron Bookbinder, association general director, said in a press release.

Marysville-based Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. has committed itself to raising its exports from North America. It shipped out more than 90,000 cars and light trucks to more than 50 other countries last year and has a stated goal of 200,000 exports annually in the coming years. Its auto parts exports are expected to increase by 70 percent this year.

Original Source: Columbus Business First

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