Japanese automakers' combined US output surged 36% in 2012

2012 transplant output highest since 2007

Japanese automakers built 3.3 million cars and trucks in the US last year, up 36% from 2.4 million in 2011 according to data released by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). The 2012 output was the highest since 2007, when Japanese automakers produced 3.5 million vehicles in the US, said JAMA. Vehicle imports from Japan rose to 1.7 million units last year, up 21% from 1.4 million in 2011, said JAMA. That was the highest since 2008, when Japanese automakers imported 2.1 million vehicles into the United States, said JAMA. "We're finally seeing recovery from the recession as well as the earthquake and tsunami…As long as the US economy and US vehicle demand hold up, US production should continue to rise," said Ron Bookbinder, general director of JAMA USA. Exports from Japanese automakers' US plants reached a record 335,680 vehicles last year, up 29% from 259,908 in 2011, said JAMA.