PRAGUE, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Czech industrial output rose by a slower than expected 7.4 percent year-on-year rate in August, after upwardly revised 12.2 percent growth in the prior month, data released on Thursday showed. KEY POINTS: (brackets denote previously reported data) (y/y change in pct) Aug July Aug forecast Industrial output 7.4 12.2 (11.8) 10.2 Industrial sales 6.9 12.4 (12.2) n/a (Full table of data............................[ID:nPRA000973]) - Seasonally adjusted output falls 1.1 percent month-on-month. - The statistics bureau says slowdown in year-on-year growth due partly to companies in some industries shifting holiday shutdowns to August from July. - Car production slows to post 6 percent annual growth, after a 33.4 percent jump a month earlier. - Production in the electrical and optical industry was biggest contributor to output growth, rising 13.5 percent. - Direct exports sales up 8.3 percent in real terms after a 13.7 percent rise in July. BACKGROUND: - Aug foreign trade figures......................[ID:nL06159828] - Report on last Czech c.bank rate decision [ID:nL27342627] [ID:nL27365976] [ID:nPRA000961] LINKS: - For further details on August output and sales numbers and past data, Reuters 3000 Xtra users can click on the Czech Statistical Bureau's Website: http://www.czso.cz/eng/csu.nsf/kalendar/2004-pru - For LIVE Czech economic data releases, click on <ECONCZ> - Instant Views on other Czech data [CZ/INSTANT] - Overview of Czech macroeconomic indicators [CZ/ECI] - Key data releases in central Europe [CEE-CONVERGENCE-WATCH] - For Czech money markets data click on <CZKVIEW> - Czech money guide <CZK/1> - Czech benchmark state bond prices <0#CZBMK=> - Czech forward money market rates <CZKFRA> ((Writing by Marek Petrus; Editing by Cheryl Juckes; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: marek.petrus.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420 224 190 477)) Keywords: ECONOMY CZECH INDUSTRY