Japanese Auto Makers Say U.S. Sales "Less Efficient" in Japan

09/05/96

Kyodo has reported that a survey released Tuesday by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) revealed that an increase in the number of automobile dealerships in Japan does not necessarily mean an increase in car sales.

According to the survey, Chrysler, Ford and GM had a total of 732 dealerships in Japan, at the end of July: 313 for Ford, 294 for GM, and 125 for Chrysler. German dealerships numbered 787, including 251 for Mercedes-Benz. Figures reported in the survey do not include dealerships operated by Japanese automakers to sell imported vehicles, said JAMA.

Volkswagen car sales average 24.7 vehicles per dealership per month and Mercedes-Benz averages about 14.5. GM averages only 8.6 vehicles per dealership per month. JAMA used the survey to counter U.S. demands for more dealerships, saying that the statistics show that American carmakers should step up marketing efforts before complaining that they cannot secure enough dealerships in Japan.

Last year's Japan-U.S. auto trade agreement lists 200 U.S. dealers in Japan by the end of this year as the U.S. government's target number. Japanese dealerships with direct sales contracts with U.S. makers have increased by about 100 since the agreement was signed.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel