Japan Imported Auto Sales Up 11.6 Pct in May

June 6, 2018

Tokyo- Sales of imported foreign-brand vehicles in Japan in May grew 11.6 pct from a year earlier to 24,108 units, up for the second consecutive month, the Japan Automobile Importers Association said Wednesday.

Sales of foreign-made vehicles accounted for 10.2 pct of the total domestic sales excluding those of minivehicles up to 660 cc. The foreign auto share exceeded 10 pct for the first time in five months, hitting the second highest level for May after 10.3 pct marked in 2011.

German brands took the top three slots on the sales list, with Mercedes-Benz coming first with 4,771 units, up 0.8 pct. It marked sales growth for the fifth straight month.

Volkswagen ranked second on the back of brisk demand for its new Polo subcompact, followed by BMW, whose X2 sport-utility vehicle fared well.

All top 10 brands registered May sales highs, JAIA said.

The association also said sales of vehicles priced at 4 million to up to 10 million yen jumped 32.6 pct to 10,901 units, led by SUVs and "clean diesel" models.

Vehicles cheaper than 4 million yen saw their sales fall 7.0 pct to 10,139 units, while those at 10 million yen or higher enjoyed a sales increase of 8.9 pct to 1,572 units. Jiji Press