P.M. BRIEFING : Toyota Exports Off, Nissan’s Up

Japan’s leading car makers, Toyota and Nissan, today reported mixed results in exports for 1989, with Toyota’s exports declining 8.1% from the previous year and Nissan posting its first rise in four years.

Toyota cited sluggish exports to the United States as the main reason for its drop. Toyota, Japan’s No. 1 car maker, said total exports for 1989 were down 8.1% to 1,669,130 units--the first time in two years that total exports fell below those of the previous year.

Nissan’s exports for 1989 amounted to 1,064,172 units, an increase of 2% over the year before. “This increase in exports reflects 1988’s low figure and the favorable reception of new Nissan models in the U.S. market,” the company said.

Both Tokyo and Nissan reported record domestic vehicle sales in 1989 amid booming domestic demand.