Toyota output up for first time in 12 months

Japan''s Toyota Motor on Wednesday said domestic production rose for the first time in 12 months in August as it recovers from the impact of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster. Total domestic production of cars, trucks and buses produced by Toyota and its two affiliates -- Daihatsu Motor and Hino Motors -- rose 12.0 percent from a year earlier to 311,153 vehicles,the company said, according to an AFP report. Domestic output by Toyota alone rose 11.9 percent to 252,374, also the first gain since the March disasters caused supply chain disruptions and power supply problems that forced plant shutdowns, it said. However, the Toyota group''s domestic sales fell 18.4 percent to 148,085 in August with exports up 18.4 percent at 146,250. Its worldwide production rose 11.0 percent to 702,603. Toyota has said its production was expected to fully recover after September when post-quake parts shortages subside. Sales by the world''s biggest car maker were hammered in the April-June quarter due to its inability to produce at normal levels.