Auto Demand Flattens in Japan

Sales of cars, minicars, trucks and buses in Japan, which slid 6% year over year in October, dipped 0.4% to 393.900 units last month, according to industry trade groups.

The Japan Automobile Dealers Assn. notes that the end of the government's incentives on fuel-efficient vehicles in September has not hurt volume as much as expected.

November demand for commercial vehicles and standard-size passenger cars in Japan dropped to 244,000 units from 252,200 units in the same period of 2011, JADA reports. Last month marked the third straight year-over-year decline for those vehicles.

Standard car sales tumbled 14% to 100,700 vehicles in November. Group volume of such vehicles edged up 1% to 122,000 units at Toyota, fell 12% to 34,600 units at Nissan and plunged 40% to 19,500 units at Honda. Demand dropped 3% to 29,500 units for trucks and 16% to about 700 units for buses.

Sales of minivehicles, which are powered by engines displacing 660 cc or less, rose 5% to 150,000 units, according to the Japan Mini Vehicles Assn. The increase is the 14th consecutive year-over-year again for minivehicles. Honda's minicar volume nearly quadrupled to 30,600 units.