Three Japanese automakers -- Nissan, Honda and Mazda -- increased global production in October due to brisk demand in overseas markets, the companies said Thursday.
Meanwhile, output at Toyota and scandal-hit Mitsubishi was down.
Toyota Motor, Japan's top automaker, said worldwide production slipped 0.6 percent to 590,993 vehicles in October from a year ago. Domestic production fell 7.2 percent to 312,847 vehicles, marking a first drop in five months.
Nissan Motor Co., the nation's No. 2 automaker, said worldwide production edged up 0.5 percent to 286,081 vehicles. The company said its overseas plants produced 164,426 vehicles, up 5.2 percent, offsetting a 5.2 percent drop in domestic production, which totaled 121,655 vehicles.
Nissan, which has a partnership with French automaker Renault SA, said production in the United States rose 13.9 percent to 71,959 vehicles, boosted by strong sales of Altima sedans and Titan pickup trucks.
Honda Motor Co.'s worldwide production rose 1.3 percent to 272,694 vehicles.