Japan's major automakers on Wednesday reported declines in exports and global production in January as the global economic downturn reduced demand for cars.

Toyota Motor Corp suffered a 57.1-per-cent plunge in exports in January from the same month a year ago to 96,864 units and a 39.1-per-cent fall in global output to
487,984 units, the company said.

The world's leading carmaker, which includes Daihatsu Motor Co and Hino Motors Ltd, saw its domestic production fall 34.6 per cent in January to 277,472 units from a year before.

Toyota's domestic vehicle sales were also down 17.1 per cent to 130,781 units.

Japan's second-largest automaker, Honda Motor Co, also reported slow exports in January. They tumbled 46.3 per cent to 32,934 units while global production fell 33.5 per cent to 226,551 units.

Its domestic output shrank 23 per cent to 77,224 units while domestic sales dipped 23.4 per cent to 34,160 units.

Nissan Motor Co's exports in January plunged 62.1 per cent from the year before to 27,578 units, and its global production fell 54 per cent to 145,286 units, Nissan said.

Its domestic sales were down 24.6 per cent to 41,768 units, and domestic output was dragged down 59 per cent to 47,477 units.

The companies have been hurt by the yen's surge against other major currencies, declines in exports as well as a waning consumer appetite for cars.

Toyota and Honda plan to appoint new presidents in June to pull their businesses out of the slump.