New vehicle sales in Taiwan fell by 1.3% to 35,048 units in October from 35,512 units a year earlier, according to local reports citing registration data compiled by Taiwan's Directorate of Highways.
The market is struggling to move forward from last year's peak levels with sales in the first 10 months of the year also falling 1.3% to 357,132 units from 362,016 units a year earlier.
Sales of imported vehicles rose by 10.2% to 17,279 units last month and by 7.9% to 160,726 units year to date, however, equivalent to 45% of the total vehicle market.
Toyota, Lexus and Hino distributor Hotai Motor reported flat sales of 9,428 units in October with the Corolla Altis and RAV4 its two best selling models with sales of 1,882 and 1,490 units respectively, but YTD volume was 4.8% lower at 99,032 units.
Mitsubishi distributor China Motor Corporation saw its sales rise by 10.3% last month to 3,816 units, helped by strong demand for the Veryca minivan, and by 1.1% to 41,288 units YTD. Taiwan Honda's sales were 9.1% lower at 2,742 units in October, reflecting a model changeover for the CRV, but were nonetheless 15.8% higher YTD at 31,657 units.
Yulon Nissan saw its cumulative sales plunge by 18.5% to 28,992 units; Mercedes-Benz 24,426 units (+4.1%); and Mazda 19,216 (+8.9%).
