Vehicle Sales Rise 2% in Japan

Deliveries of new cars, minivehicles, trucks and buses in Japan grew to 365,200 units last month from 359,700 units a year earlier, according to the country's carmaker groups.

April's year-over-year increase was the first in eight months. The Japan Automobile Dealers Assn. notes that volume benefited from one extra selling day last month than a year earlier. Average daily sales fell to 10,200 vehicles from 10,400 in April 2012.

Demand for standard size passenger and commercial vehicles in Japan climbed to 213,200 units last month from 209,000 units a year earlier, JADA reports.

April deliveries of minivehicles, which are powered by engines displacing 660 cc or less, rose 1% to 152,000 units, the Japan Mini Vehicle Assn. reports.

Sales of standard size passenger vehicles in Japan last month advanced at Toyota (+6% to 108,300 units) and Nissan (+13% to 29,800 units), but plunged 41% to 18,200 units at Honda.