Imported vehicle sales in Japan nosedived by almost a quarter in fiscal 2008 compared to the 12 months previously, according to a trade group.
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The Japan Automobile Importers Association said sales of imported vehicles, including those produced by Japanese companies overseas, fell 24.8% to 199,115 units.
The auto association said it was the first time since 1992 that the total had fallen below 200,000 units.
Kyodo News quoted a JAIA source as saying: ”Dealers, which took hits from last year’s gas price spikes, received an extra blow from a sharp fall in consumer confidence since last fall.”
Sales of foreign-brand vehicles fell 22.2% to 176,723 units.
Volkswagen maintained its place at the top of the list of importers, though its sales were still down 21.2% to 40,661 units.
Mercedes-Benz overtook BMW to claim second place. Both German carmakers saw sales slide by 25.8% and 30.3% respectively.
Toyota brand sales, however, more than doubled, putting the Japanese producer in fourth place with 16,183 units sold.
