Japan became the largest vehicle producer in the world for the first time since 1993, surpassing the United States, Kyodo News said Monday, citing a recent survey by an industry association.

A total of 11.48 million vehicles, including minivehicles with engines of up to 660 cc were produced in Japan last year. Meanwhile, former champion, the United States fell to second with its domestic production down 5.7 percent to 11.26 million in 2006,according to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.

According to the survey by the Paris-based organization, China rose to the third place in 2006, with a domestic production of 7.18 million units, exceeding Germany.

Vehicle production in Japan has grown for the fifth consecutive year, with a 6.3 percent expansion in 2006. Japan used to be the world's largest vehicle production country from 1980 to 1993, due largely to aggressive exports to the United States. However, major Japanese automakers have since then promoted production in North America.