Japan's imported car sales down in February

Japan’s imported car sales down in February

Japan's imported vehicle sales fell 6.3% year-on-year to 19'539 units in February 2005, data released by the Japan Automobile Importers Association (JAIA) show. The JAIA data indicate that foreign auto makers produced 17'921 of the imported vehicles sold, an increase of 0.7% from a year earlier. Japanese auto makers overseas accounted for the other 1'618 vehicles, down 47.2% year-on-year. In terms of sales, German auto makers retained the top three positions in the market. Volkswagen saw its sales rise 3% year-on-year to 4'627 units, with a 23.68% market share. BMW followed with an 11.7% surge in sales to 2'843 vehicles, up 11.7% year-on-year. Mercedes-Benz kept hold of third place despite a 19.6% drop in sales to 2'828 units.