SHANGHAI, Jun. 4 (SMM) – Data from China Customs showed a sharp increase in China’s silicon metal exports in April. This was due mainly to the recovery of automobile markets in Japan and Europe, which helped boost China downstream demand for silicon metal in China. 

 

Statistics show that Japan’s automobile sales have been falling through the first three months this year, but started increasing in April by staging a 2% YoY growth to 213,000 vehicles. Sales of common passenger cars in Japan were 91,000 vehicles in April, up 4.9% from the 87,000 vehicles a year ago. Plus the sales of microcars and trucks, total sales were up 2% from 208,000 vehicles a year earlier. 

 

In Europe, passenger car sales in 27 members of the EU totaled 1.038 million vehicles during April, edging up 1.7% from the 1.021 million a year earlier, ending the 18 months of YoY declines. Although the growth was partially influenced by the Easter holiday, most industry insiders believe the European automobile market may bottom out this year.