North American Light-Vehicle Production Records 13-Year January High

North American light-vehicle production reached 1,344,792 in January, inching 0.9% above same-month 2015 to a 13-year high for the month.

Light-truck production rose 6.5% over last year to 823,234 units, but cars were down 6.8% to 521,558 units. The small-car segment alone slipped 19%, while pickup production climbed 22.9% to 238,304 units.

Automakers in Canada built 203,474 light vehicles, soaring 11.6% above January 2015. This growth was carried by light-truck production, which was 18% higher than year-ago with 133,106 builds.   

Light-vehicle production in Mexico was relatively flat, up just 0.5% to 266,612 units. Following the overall trend, low car numbers were balanced by an increase in pickup and SUV output.

Production in the U.S. slowed last month, falling 1.2% to 874,706 units.  

General Motors posted a 13% drop in production due to slowdowns for retooling at some of its facilities. Double-digit losses also were posted by FCA and Volkswagen.

Several manufacturers recorded best-ever January totals, including Honda up 3% with 162,340 light vehicles; Mercedes-Benz, up 3.6% to 22,707; and Nissan, rising 8.3% to 153,403 units.

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