Exports of cars, trucks and buses rose 5.8 percent in January from a year earlier to 328,016 units, marking the first increase in three months, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said Wednesday.

Car exports totaled 286,699 units, up 6.2 percent for the first increase in three months; truck exports totaled 38,389, up 2.9 percent for the first increase in four months.

Bus exports totaled 2,928, up 8.5 percent.

An association official said the increase in exports is temporary, the result of inventory adjustments.

"The overall volume of exports remains small and is likely to fall again," the official said.

By region, auto exports to the 15-nation European Union rose 17.2 percent to 71,314, registering the first increase in 18 months, while those to Asian countries plunged 31.8 percent to 20,847 in the eighth consecutive month of decline. Exports to the United States rose 9.1 percent to 134,570.

On a value basis, exports of automobiles and auto parts increased 5 percent to $6.26 billion in January, it said.

Among Japan's 11 major automakers, Toyota Motor Corp. remained the top exporter with shipments of 129,529 units, up 16.3 percent, followed by Nissan Motor Co., whose shipments dropped 3.5 percent to 40,898. Mazda Motor Corp. came third with exports down 3.4 percent to 39,897, followed by Honda Motor Co. with exports of 35,838, up 20.7 percent, the association said.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. was in fifth place with exports of 28,744, down 10.3 percent.