Japan’s Vehicle Sales Dip 1%

Deliveries of new cars, minivehicles, trucks and buses in Japan slipped to 366,800 units in August from 370,800 a year earlier, according to local industry groups.

The country's sales of standard size passenger and commercial vehicles dropped 6% to 217,400 units last month, the Japan Automobile Dealers Assn. reports. August marked the smallest drop in four straight months of year-over-year declines.

Import brands boosted volume 19% to 19,600 vehicles, the Japan Automobile Importers Assn. says.

Among major Japanese brands, deliveries fell 13% to 101,400 vehicles at Toyota and 22% to 19,000 units at Honda. Nissan boosted sales 3% to 32,400 units.

August demand for minivehicles, which are powered by engines displacing 660 cc or less, climbed 8% to 149,300 units in Japan, says the Japan Mini Vehicles Assn. That tally was an all-time high for August.