By Chang-Ran Kim
TOKYO, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Japan's top automakers all reported double-digit rises in global production for September on Thursday, driven by recent launches of major new models and continued strong demand in the most important U.S. market.
Mazda Motor Corp , the smallest of the five, and Nissan Motor Co , ranked third, posted the biggest year-on-year jumps -- 22 percent and 21 percent respectively -- lifted by new cars after cutting back on them last year.
Analysts said rises in year-on-year output would continue for the next few months because carmakers had slimmed down production plans around this time last year, fearing a slowdown in sales after the September 11 attacks in the United States.
But there was no such effect in the latest reporting month since production was carried out in September 2001 as planned the month before, in line with standard auto industry practice.
"The story is basically the same for all makers: production is being supported by new models and strong exports, which are making up for weak demand at home," said Tatsuo Yoshida, auto analyst at Deutsche Securities.
In August, Mazda began selling the fully remodelled Demio subcompact, which helped boost its sales of passenger cars at home by 13.5 percent last month.
Production was also lifted by strong exports of the new Mazda6/Atenza, sales of which have surpassed expectations in Europe.
Data earlier this month showed a surprising rise of 6.5 percent in industry-wide sales of new cars in Japan in September. Analysts said that was partly due to the heavy use of discounts and other sales incentives and that demand remained fragile.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp , Japan's fourth-largest automaker, provided further evidence of the trend. Worldwide output grew 17 percent, supported by a 23 percent jump in exports, while sales at home were up just 4.5 percent.
The sole exception was Honda Motor Co , which saw exports drop 2.9 percent, mainly because of a fall in shipments to North America and Asia. It more than made up for that fall, however, by producing 22 percent more vehicles overseas.
Industry leader Toyota Motor Corp marked a 17 percent rise globally as overseas output jumped 30 percent.