Four of Japan's biggest auto manufacturers have reported a rise in global production figures for May.

The country's second largest producer, Nissan, reported a significant decline for the month, however.

Japan's leading producer Toyota saw a 10.4 per cent increase on the production recorded in May last year, manufacturing 639,512 vehicles.

Mazda saw the steepest rise in production of 19.3 per cent, producing 67,750 vehicles during May. Its overseas output rose for the fifth consecutive month to 23,551 units – a 4.8 per cent increase.

Honda saw a 6.8 per cent production rise to 297,065 cars for the month, although its domestic production actually fell by 1.9 per cent. Mitsubishi's global production rose 4.2 per cent to 101,801 vehicles.

Nissan's production fall in May was the fifth in succession. A total of 248,349 Nissan vehicles were produced globally in May, which was an 11 per cent fall on last year's figure.

Production at two assembly lines was cut earlier this month due to lower sales.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd