Japanese automobile exports in 2000 inched up 1 percent from the previous year to 4,454,887 units, the first increase in three years, an industry group said Monday.
Car exports grew 1 percent to 3,795,854 units, rising for the fourth straight year, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said.
Truck exports edged up 0.8 percent to 617,870 units, the first growth in three years, while bus exports jumped 7.3 percent to 41,163 units, also the first climb in three years, the association said.
In December alone, vehicle exports rose 1.2 percent from a year earlier to 367,611 units.
Exports of cars crept up 0.6 percent to 316,187 units after three straight months of decline.
Truck exports increased 6.2 percent to 47,864 units, while bus exports shrank 3.4 percent to 3,560 units.