Japan imported less secondary aluminum alloy from China in July than a year ago while local production rose, according to government and industry statistics released this week.
Japan imported 29,789 mt of secondary aluminum alloy from China in July 2013, down 6% year-on-year. Imports from China are mostly auto diecasting alloy used for automotive components, according to industry sources.
Meanwhile, Japan's production of auto diecasting alloy was 39,703 mt in July, up 2.1% year-on-year, the Japan Aluminum Alloy Refiners Association said Thursday.
Diecaster sources said the July orders for automotive components were stable and their alloy consumption held steady.
Japan's passenger vehicle production was 776,004 vehicles in July, down 3% year-on-year due to lower output of small passenger cars, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said Friday.
The car output drop, which was expected due to a government subsidy program ending in September last year, has been marginal, sources said.
Imports of aluminum alloy fell while local production increased, due to the weaker yen, sources said.
The US dollar traded at Yen 92-99 in April 2013 when the cargoes for June-July shipments from China to Japan were traded, compared to Yen 79-83 at the same time in 2012.
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