However, the decline was mild compared to previous months.

The world s biggest automaker also logged its first rise in five months for global sales, which grew 1.4% to 903,103 vehicles, a record for the month of October.

Toyota said on Thursday it produced 893,164 vehicles globally, down 0.8%. That compares with an 8% fall in September.

Production in the United States tumbled 13%, hurt by a four-month production halt of SUV models Grand Highlander and Lexus TX due to an airbag issue. Production of the models resumed on Oct. 21 and output at the automaker s Indiana plant is expected to return to normal in January.

In China, where competition against local brands remains intense, output slid 9%. Toyota also produced 13% fewer cars in Thailand amid soft demand.

In Japan, which accounts for about a third of Toyota s worldwide output, production climbed 8%, bouncing back from weak numbers a year ago when an accident at a supplier s facility led to a partial production halt at multiple plants.

In Canada and Mexico, output for the automaker was up 2% for both countries.

The production and sales figures include vehicles from Toyota s luxury Lexus brand but exclude group companies Hino and Daihatsu.