Japan August Auto Sales Down 1.4% From 2001

TOKYO -Dow Jones reported that Japan's sales of new cars, trucks and buses, as measured by registrations, fell for the 12th straight month, reflecting depressed consumer demand due to shrinking wages.

Sales in August totaled 252,338 units, down 1.4% from the same month a year ago, the Japan Automobile Dealers' Association said Monday.

Auto sales, as measured by registrations of vehicles with the government, are closely monitored by economists since they are the first consumer spending numbers released each month. The figures don't include sales of mini-cars or mini-trucks.

                         Units   Change On Year
   Overall              252,338       -1.4%
    Passenger cars      200,984       +5.1%
     standard-size       45,295       -7.0%
     small-size         155,689       +9.2%
    Trucks               50,249      -20.9%
    Buses                 1,105       -6.5%

(Standard-size cars are those with engine capacity of at least 2001 cubic centimeters.)