Auto Sales Sink 3% in Japan

Sales of new cars, minivehicles, trucks and buses in Japan fell to 446,700 units last month compared with 462,400 in September 2011, according to local trade groups.

They attribute the decline to the expiration on Sept. 21 of government subsidies for the purchase of fuel-efficient cars.

Demand for standard-sized vehicles last month slid 8% to 288,500 units, marking the first year-over-year decline in 13 months, the Japan Automobile Dealers Assn. reports. Sales dropped at Toyota (-7% to 121,900 vehicles), Nissan (-4% to 51,300 units) and Honda (-40% to 26,200 units.)

JADA expects volume to keep shrinking this month, saying "no optimism is warranted."

September sales of minivehicles, which are powered by engines displacing 660 cc or less, rose 7% to 158,200 units, says the Japan Mini Vehicles Assn. That marked the 12th straight month of year-over-year sales gains.

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Assn. expects minivehicle volume, which surged 54% to 2.9 million vehicles in April-September, to fall 10% to 2.1 million units in the October-March period.