Domestic output by Japan's eight major automakers for fiscal 2022 rose for the first time in four years, the companies said Thursday, as the negative effects from the coronavirus pandemic and a chip shortage eased, with Toyota Motor Corp. hitting record sales and production on a global basis.

Data released by the companies showed that their combined domestic production rose 7.8 percent to 7.65 million units in the year ended March.

Domestically, Toyota, the world's biggest auto seller, logged a 0.9 percent increase to 2.79 million units, after recording its lowest level in 45 years in fiscal 2021.

Honda Motor Co. saw its domestic output rise 1.4 percent to 643,338 vehicles, while Nissan Motor Co.'s output jumped 33.8 percent to 596,694 units thanks to the introduction of new models.

Toyota also said a recovery in production in North America and Asia had contributed to an all-time high in its global sales and production.

The Japanese automaker said its worldwide vehicle sales for fiscal 2022 rose 1.0 percent from a year earlier to 9.61 million units and global output increased 6.5 percent to 9.13 million cars.

The previous high for its worldwide sales was 9.55 million vehicles for fiscal 2018, while its global output previously hit an all-time high of 9.08 million units in fiscal 2016.

The record figures were released as Toyota accelerates transformation efforts under its new president. In the company's first leadership change in 14 years, Koji Sato, a former Lexus division head, replaced founding family scion Akio Toyoda this month.

While most of Toyota's current sales consist of hybrid and gasoline-powered cars, Sato said it will increase sales of electric vehicles as part of a move to offer a wider variety of products that reduce carbon emissions.

Overseas production grew 9.2 percent to a record 6.34 million units as output rebounded from a severe parts shortage due to the pandemic. Production ramp-up in major markets such as North America, China and Southeast Asia also helped push up the figure.

The automaker sold a record 8.20 million vehicles outside of Japan, up 1.1 percent, on robust sales in Southeast Asia and Europe. Domestic sales, including mini vehicles, grew 0.8 percent to 1.41 million cars.

Total global output by the eight companies, including Toyota, rose 4.1 percent to 24.19 million vehicles, with five of them seeing an increase. Their combined worldwide sales fell 4.2 percent to 23.28 million units.


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