ID :
78006
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 15:13
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http://m.oananews.org//node/78006
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New vehicle sales in Japan post 1st rise in 13 months in August
TOKYO, Sept. 1 Kyodo - New vehicle sales in Japan scored the first year-on-year rise in 13 months in August, backed by recent tax breaks and subsidies for purchases of eco-friendly vehicles, an industry body said Tuesday.
The sales in the month increased 2.3 percent from a year earlier to 198,265
units, excluding minivehicles with engine displacements of up to 660 cc, the
Japan Automobile Dealers Association said.
Sales of new passenger cars increased 8.2 percent to 179,766 units, while truck
sales plunged 33.8 percent to 17,673 units. Bus sales fell 22.5 percent to 826
units.
Among brands, Lexus of Toyota Motor Corp. posted the largest percentage sales
growth of 46.9 percent to 1,745 units, followed by a 22.8 percent rise to 4,519
units for Mitsubishi, a 13.4 percent increase to 31,115 units for Honda, and a
9.0 percent expansion to 90,802 units for Toyota, excluding the Lexus brand.
The strong growth for Lexus came on robust sales of the HS250h
gasoline-electric hybrid car launched in July. Among Toyota brand vehicles, the
new Prius hybrid was also popular.
Honda sales increased for the fifth straight month on the strength of the
popular Insight hybrid. Mitsubishi posted a year-on-year sales rise for the
first time in 19 months, supported by brisk sales of the Colt subcompact.
In contrast, new vehicle sales declined 1.4 percent to 31,015 units for Nissan,
which has no hybrid models applicable for the tax breaks or subsidies. Mazda
sales dropped 2.5 percent to 13,543 units, although passenger car sales
increased.
Brisk sales in August centered on eco-friendly hybrid cars subject to the tax
breaks and subsidies, indicating that the government's economic stimulus
measures have had a positive effect.
Auto industry officials are concerned that the auto market may contract after
the expiration of these measures and are requesting their extension.
The subsidies are set to expire at the end of March 2010 and the tax breaks at
the end of March 2012.
==Kyodo
The sales in the month increased 2.3 percent from a year earlier to 198,265
units, excluding minivehicles with engine displacements of up to 660 cc, the
Japan Automobile Dealers Association said.
Sales of new passenger cars increased 8.2 percent to 179,766 units, while truck
sales plunged 33.8 percent to 17,673 units. Bus sales fell 22.5 percent to 826
units.
Among brands, Lexus of Toyota Motor Corp. posted the largest percentage sales
growth of 46.9 percent to 1,745 units, followed by a 22.8 percent rise to 4,519
units for Mitsubishi, a 13.4 percent increase to 31,115 units for Honda, and a
9.0 percent expansion to 90,802 units for Toyota, excluding the Lexus brand.
The strong growth for Lexus came on robust sales of the HS250h
gasoline-electric hybrid car launched in July. Among Toyota brand vehicles, the
new Prius hybrid was also popular.
Honda sales increased for the fifth straight month on the strength of the
popular Insight hybrid. Mitsubishi posted a year-on-year sales rise for the
first time in 19 months, supported by brisk sales of the Colt subcompact.
In contrast, new vehicle sales declined 1.4 percent to 31,015 units for Nissan,
which has no hybrid models applicable for the tax breaks or subsidies. Mazda
sales dropped 2.5 percent to 13,543 units, although passenger car sales
increased.
Brisk sales in August centered on eco-friendly hybrid cars subject to the tax
breaks and subsidies, indicating that the government's economic stimulus
measures have had a positive effect.
Auto industry officials are concerned that the auto market may contract after
the expiration of these measures and are requesting their extension.
The subsidies are set to expire at the end of March 2010 and the tax breaks at
the end of March 2012.
==Kyodo
