Forklift sales in Japan totalled 68,449 units in 2003, up 3.9% from 2002, according to a survey by the Japan Industrial Vehicles Association (JIVA).

Of all forklifts sold in Japan last year, 20,674 were diesels and 17,578 had petrol engines. Figures for AC forklifts were not available. A total of 108,417 forklift trucks, including export-designated units, were produced for the year, up 6.7%.

Exports stood at 35,811 units, up 14.1% from 2002. Of these, 18,501 were diesels, while petrol trucks accounted for 10,025.

In December, 5,226 forklifts were sold, down 3.4% from December 2002, dropping for the first time in four months.