Japan's five major automakers increased overseas production in November after four of them saw falls in domestic sales, according to figures released Thursday by the five.

Toyota Motor Corp., which is expected to overtake General Motors Corp. as the world's largest carmaker next year in terms of production on a group basis, raised overseas output 15.0 percent to 317,044 units over the previous year.

The figure represents the 47th consecutive monthly output hike for the nation's largest automaker and a record high for November.

Toyota said its overall overseas production rose due mainly to increased production in Asia and Central and South America.

The company said Tuesday it plans to produce 9.06 million vehicles in 2006 on a consolidated basis for a 10 percent expansion this year. Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd. are Toyota subsidiaries.

Nissan Motor Co. meanwhile reported a 12.8 percent increase in overseas production to 183,263 units. Production in China more than tripled, offsetting declines in the United States and parts of Europe.

Mazda Motor Corp. saw a 2.0 percent rise in overseas output to 28,734 units -- its first increase in three months -- while Honda Motor Co.'s expanded 8.2 percent to 187,154 units for the fourth consecutive month of increase, thanks mainly to higher output in North America and Asia.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. raised overseas production 0.4 percent to 59,474 units after output fell in Europe due to the cancellation of some models there. But increased production in China helped boost output in Asia.

Four of the five carmakers, excluding Nissan, reinforced production in Japan.

But only MMC posted an increase in domestic sales, up 19.7 percent to 21,110 units, largely helped by the favorable performance of the Outlander, its new sport utility vehicle.