[ferro-alloys.com]Japan's secondary aluminum alloy smelters shipped 234,171 mt of diecast alloys in the first half of 2018, the highest since 234,207 mt in H1 2014, Japan Aluminum Alloy Refiners Association said Friday.

Alloy shipments grew despite the marginal growth in Japanese automobile production, thanks to growing demand from overseas automakers for transmission and other components, smelter and trade sources said.

Toyota Motor said Friday vehicle production in Japan by Toyota Motor, Hino Motor and Daihatsu Motor totaled 2,126,907 units in H1, up 0.04% year on year.

Nissan Motor's H1 production in Japan was 482,208 units, down 9.5% year on year.

Diecast alloy products are mostly of ADC12 specification, used for engine blocks, covers, and transmission cases. Alloy demand for electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles is limited at 1,000 mt/month, market sources estimated.

Automotive-maker sources said ADC12 alloy is used for lithium ion battery battery cases, air conditioner components, and transmission parts for plug-in-hybrid vehicles.

• [Editor:王可]