Toyota, Japan's No. 1 car maker by sales volume, said domestic production rose 7.2% in January from a year earlier to 319,765 vehicles, marking the fifth consecutive month of rises. Its sales in Japan rose 7.8% to 121,207 vehicles, and exports grew 13% to 159,186 vehicles as it shipped more vehicles to North America, the Middle East and Africa.

Nissan, Japan's second-biggest auto maker by sales volume, said its domestic production last month fell 28% from a year earlier to 98,458 vehicles as production of its Cube compact and X-Trail sport-utility vehicle declined and output of pickup trucks for export also fell.

Nissan's domestic sales fell 11% to 60,872 vehicles, while exports by the company, in which Renault SA of France has a 44% stake, declined 2% to 51,062 vehicles on fewer exports to European and Asian markets.

Honda, Japan's No. 3 car maker, said it cut domestic production in January by 4.9% from a year earlier to 100,832 vehicles, marking the second straight month of declines.

Honda's domestic sales dropped 18% to 33,477 vehicles, but its January exports rose 17% to 56,617 vehicles on exports to North America and Europe.