Tokyo, Oct. 1 (Jiji Press)–New vehicle sales in Japan in April-September rose 5.1 pct from a year earlier to 2,292,064 units, industry data showed Thursday. The figure was the highest since April-September 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the data from the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association. Sales of automobiles with engine displacements of over 660 cc grew 9.6 pct to 1,504,178 units, thanks to the abolition of the environmental performance tax at the end of March. Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., both having many popular models, saw sharp rises in their sales. Sales at Mazda Motor Corp., which launched a new model, also increased. Meanwhile, sales of minivehicles, with engine displacements of up to 660 cc, fell 2.5 pct to 787,886 units, the first decline in two years. In September alone, overall new vehicle sales climbed 1.3 pct year on year to 433,683 units. Sales of minivehicles dipped 0.6 pct. But Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. posted gains on the back of the popularity of new models introduced in autumn 2025. Sales of larger vehicles rose 2.5 pct, up for six consecutive months. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
