Japan's Vehicle Demand Flattens

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.

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, the Japan Automobile Dealers Assn. 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.

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.