Supply Chain Research

The steady increase in global exports by Japanese automakers finally had an impact on the U.S. market in April. Panjiva analysis of the big seven manufacturers’ reports shows global exports from Japan increased 2% on a year earlier in April, the third straight increase. U.S. imports grew by 4% on a seaborne basis, the first rise since January 2016. That came despite a drop in auto sales in the month in the U.S. Toyota was likely to be the main driver of the increase. Its exports increased 15%, with international production – including the U.S. – falling by 4%.