Japan Imported Vehicle Sales Continue To Fall In May

Japanese newly registered imported vehicles of foreign manufacturers dropped 5.2% annually in May, the Japan Automobile Importers Association - JAIA said Wednesday. The number of newly registered imported vehicles of foreign manufacturers totaled 17,497 units, smaller than 18,464 units last year. In April, imported auto sales declined 16.0%.

The JAIA noted that total number of automobiles produced by foreign manufacturers and Japanese manufacturers newly registered climbed 5.8% to 20,743 units in May. A year ago, total number of newly registered imported vehicles totaled 19,611 units.

The report said that the cumulative sales of imported vehicles since January 2007 declined 8.8% to 91,506 units from 100,387 units prior year. Including the overseas production of Japanese automakers, the cumulative total sales were 99,942 units, down 6.7% on year.