Japan's new vehicle sales rise 46.7% in August

• Source: Xinhua
• [17:30 September 01 2010]
• Comments

Motoring enthusiasts and car-buyers look at a Toyota Hybrid X on display during the 3rd Philippine International Motor Show at World Trade Center in Pasay City, Metro Manila August 19, 2010.  Photo: Agency

Japanese automobile sales rose 46.7 percent in August from a year earlier, marking the 13th straight month of increase, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association said in a report on Wednesday.

According to the association, sales in the recording month, excluding those of 660cc minivehicles, stood at 290,798 vehicles with the rise being attributed to customers purchasing eco- friendly vehicles while the government subsidy program is still valid -- the program will finish at the end of September.

August marked the 13th straight month of year-on-year rise and the third-biggest monthly rise on record, the association said, also noting that for the January-August period sales totaled 2,344, 883 units, a rise of 30.9 percent from a year earlier.

Sales of passenger cars leapt 49.0 percent to 267,777 units and truck sales increased 23.0 percent to 21,740 units. Meanwhile, bus sales climbed 54.0 percent to 1,272 units, the association said.

In August Toyota was the top selling brand at 130,092 units, an increase of 43.3 percent on year, followed by Nissan at 44,857 units a rise of 44.6 percent. Honda took the third spot selling 50, 195 vehicles, a rise on year of 61.3 percent, the report said.

Separately, The Japan Mini Vehicles Association said sales of minivehicles in August rose 21.7 percent from a year earlier to 134,197 units, marking the eighth straight month of growth and a new record of monthly sales.