The average time for ownership of new cars in Japan has risen to an all time high, according to the Automobile Inspection & Registration Information Association.

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Data showed that the average duration of ownership for a car from registration is now 7.48 years at the end of March 2009. It is an annual rise of a quarter of a year and is the 17th consecutive year the period has increased.


The recession was cited as a reason for the rise as people put off buying a new cars.


The length of ownership for commercial vehicles was also at an all time high, increasing 1.78 years to 13.5 years.


Sales of vehicles (excluding minivehicles up to 660cc) in Japan rose 3.5% to 321,737 in September from a year earlier, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.


It was the second straight month of growth which has been driven by government incentives to encourage sales of smaller and more fuel-efficient cars.

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