Japan's auto imports down 7.8% for fiscal 2009

• Source: Xinhua
• [13:08 April 06 2010]
• Comments

Imports of foreign vehicles to Japan in fiscal 2009 decreased by 7.8 percent, according to statistics released by the Japan Automobile Importers Association on Tuesday.

The number of passenger cars imported by foreign manufacturers fell by 5.9 percent to 164,835 units, causing the decrease. The number of trucks imported, however, increased by 9.3 percent to 1, 715 units, and 54 buses were brought into the country, up 8 from the previous year.

Vehicles made abroad and brought into Japan fell by 23.8 percent to 17,073 units.

The number of imported vehicles brought into Japan was at its lowest level since fiscal 1988, representing the tough conditions faced by the Japanese economy over the past 12 months.

Volkswagen remained the best-selling foreign car over the course of the year, selling 40,664 units in 2009, an increase of just three units on the previous year. BMW, Mercedes, Audi and BMW Mini made up the rest of the top five in sales.

In March, however, sales of imported cars increased for the fifth consecutive month, as the economy gets back on its feet. Some 25,492 units were sold in March, an increase of 9.8 percent on the same month in the previous year.

As Japan begins to recover from dour economic circumstances brought about by the credit crisis that started in late 2008, retail figures have shown positive signs in recent months and the government recently upgraded its assessment of the economy.