International Business / The Pacific

Strong Yen Slows Car Production: Japan’s vehicle output stayed in the slow lane in the fiscal year ended March 31, falling 5% to 10.09 million units because of the high yen, according to figures released by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers’ Assn. But analysts said car makers should get a boost this year, helped by increased purchases at home by consumers anxious to get cars ahead of a rise in the consumption tax and increased exports because of the recent fall in the yen. Output in March slipped even more. At 963,245 vehicles, it was down 11.1% from the same month last year, the association said. Industry sources said exports fell 20.3% in March from a year earlier to 326,000 vehicles, bringing 1995-96 exports to 3.62 million, down 16.7% for the year.