Domestic production at Japanese auto giants Toyota Motor Corporation and Honda Motor Company leapt in August, respectively up year-on-year by 12% and 13% -- a feat that rival Mitsubishi Motors could only watch and envy as its output plummeted by a staggering 46%.

Mitsubishi's misfortune was triggered by a series of recalls and consumer outrage at the company's attempted coverup of defects in its models. Nissan Motor Company and Mazda Motor Corporation also cut back on local output during the month.

August production figures for the main players were as follows (domestic unit sales in parentheses); percentages indicate year-on-year increase/decrease:

1. Toyota (254,284) +12%
2. Nissan (96,458) -8.2%
3. Honda (82,919) +13%
4. Mazda (50,637) -5%
5. Mitsubishi (29,046) -46%

In terms of August domestic sales there were no marked changes in the rankings …

1. Toyota (107,367) +7.6%
2. Honda (53,113) +8.8%
3. Nissan (47,335) -5.3%
4. Mazda (19,467) +1.5%
5. Mitsubishi (10,143) -45%

Data sourced from Wall Street Journal Online; additional content by WARC staff