Vehicle Sales in Japan Drop 8%

Sales of cars, minivehicles, trucks and buses in Japan fell to 383,500 units last month compared with 415,900 units in January 2012, according to industry groups.

The country's demand for all commercial vehicles and standard-size passenger cars tumbled 13% to 229,300 units in January, marking the fifth straight month of year over year decline, the Japan Automobile Dealers Assn. reports.

Nissan hiked domestic volume 12% to 44,200 vehicles last month. Honda sales plunged 53% to 21,000 units. Demand for the Toyota brand shrank 16% to 105,400 units.

January sales of minivehicles, which are powered by engines displacing 660 cc or less, rose 1% to 154,200 units in the country, according the Japan Mini Vehicles Assn.

The Japan Automobile Manufactures Assn. predicts domestic motor vehicle volume will drop 12% to 4.74 million units this year, noting that the government incentives that boosted demand 28% in 2012 have expired.