Auto Sales Surge 72% in Japan

Carmakers sold 751,900 new cars, minivehicles, trucks and buses in Japan last month compared with 437,600 units in March 2011, according to trade groups.

Demand was boosted by the extension of government subsidies for fuel-efficient vehicles, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Assn. The year-over-year increase was exaggerated by the comparison to March 2011, when the country was struck by an earthquake and tsunami.

March demand soared 82% to 443,700 passenger cars and 52% to 54,200 trucks and buses, JADA says. Sales of minivehicles, which are powered by engines displacing 660 cc or less, surged 61% to 253,900 units, according to the Japan Mini Vehicle Assn.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, vehicles sales rose 3% to 4.75 million units. Excluding minivehicles, auto sales increased 3% to 3.06 million units.