Car Sales Eke Out 1% Gain in Japan

Japan's registrations of new passenger vehicles, including minicars, edged up to 308,600 units last month from 306,300 units in April 2012, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Assn.

The country's total motor vehicle sales, including trucks and buses improved 2% to 365,200 units in April.

Passenger vehicle deliveries in Japan rose for the Toyota brand (+6% to 100,000 vehicles), Suzuki (+2% to 43,300 vehicles), import brands (+34% to 16,100 units) and Mazda (+1% to 11,700 units). Deliveries fell at Honda (-13% to 45,800 units), Daihatsu (-4% to 40,800 vehicles), Nissan (-10% to 30,900 units) and Subaru (-78% to 12,300 units).

In the January-April period, the country's passenger vehicle dropped 9% year over year to 1.32 million units. Total motor vehicle registrations slid 9% to 1.53 million units.