Japan's Automakers' Purchases Of U.S. Made Parts Decline.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Japan's automakers' purchases of U.S.-made auto parts declined for the first time since such records were tracked. U.S. autoparts suppliers sold $16.8 billion worth of automotive components to Japan's automakers in the first half of fiscal 2001, down 2.7 percent from sales in the first half of fiscal 2000 of $17.3 billion, according to data from the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). See table below.

The decline reflects lower production of vehicles in the U.S. and Japan in the first half of 2001.

Chassis and drive train parts purchases fell 8.1 percent to $2.3 billion, while vehicle body parts dropped by 6.1 percent to $5.7 billion. Of the six product grouping reported, only purchases of electrical/electronic components increased. Purchases in this category jumped to $3.7 billion, a 12.5 percent gain during the six-month period.

The majority of the purchases were consumed by Japanese transplant operations in the United States. Transplants accounted for 90 percent of total purchases or $15.1 billion. (See table)

Parts used for OE service work accounted for $2.4 billion or 14.5 percent of total purchases, with the remainder ($14.4 billion) going into OE production.

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