New auto sales up for 2nd straight year in FY 2017

April 2, 2018

Tokyo- New automobile sales in Japan in fiscal 2017 rose 2.3 percent from the previous year to 5,197,107 units, up for the second straight year, industry data showed Monday.

The rise was led by mini-vehicles, which logged their first sales growth in four years, overcoming a slump after the consumption tax increase in April 2014.

Sales of other vehicles fell for the first time in three years, due to fading effects from new models. The decline also reflected vehicle inspection irregularities at automakers including Nissan Motor Co..

In the year ended in March, sales of mini-vehicles, with engine displacements of up to 660 cc, grew 8.1 percent to 1,858,873 units, while sales of larger vehicles declined 0.6 percent to 3,338,234 units, according to data from the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association. Jiji Press