Japan’s big seven automakers increased global exports by 3% on a year earlier in July, the sixth straight month of growth. Suzuki led on sales in Europe and Latin America, while Toyota’s grew by 7%. U.S.-bound shipments jumped over 50%, but this includes a later-than-normal phase of deliveries by specialist exporters. Taking the three months to August 24 there was a 1% decline, continuing a pattern of lower imports driven by weak sales. Honda and Subaru both saw lower exports globally as a result of increased overseas production – Subaru shifted production of the Impreza to the U.S.