Sales of Japanese Cars Plunge Again in China

Japan's largest automakers report that their sales in China fell sharply in October. It was the second consecutive month of huge year-over-year declines there for Japan's Big Three as consumers shun their models amid a Japan-China territorial dispute.

Honda's sales in China last month plummeted 54% from a year earlier to 24,100 vehicles. Volume dived 41% to 64,300 units at Nissan and 44% to 45,600 units at Toyota.

Honda says its factories in China will continue to operate on only one of two shifts. The company doesn't expect its sales there to recover until February.

Other carmakers are benefiting from China's anti-Japan sentiment. Hyundai boosted its sales there 37% to 80,600 vehicles last month far exceeding the combined October volume of Honda and Toyota.