Japan Auto Production Jumped 18.6% in January

Japan’s January auto output surged to 837,197, a 18.6% jump over the same month of 2011, said the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Wednesday. It was the fourth straight month of production increases.

The increase is attributed to resumption of government incentives for green vehicles and the drive to make up for production stoppages forced by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Exports for the month rose 4.1% to 380,295 units, the first increase in two months. A 25.4% jump in exports to North America 149,602 units was partially offset by a 20.7% decline in exports to Europe to 74,670 units and a 5.3% decline to Asia to 44,889 units.

Passenger car output rose 18.1% to 719,879 units while truck production rose 22.4% to 107,532 units. Both figures are up for the fourth consecutive month. Bus production rose 12.8% to 9,786 units, the eighth straight month of growth.