Japan Sees First Drop in Auto Imports since 1993

09/09/96

The Associated Press reported that monthly sales of imported vehicles in Japan dropped for the first time in nearly three years: August import sales fell 2.9 percent, compared to August of the previous year, hitting only 26,542 vehicles for the month.

The Japan Automobile Importers Association (JAIA) said the decline was driven by dropping sales of imports from the United States. Most other countries that export vehicles to Japan saw their sales rise in August. Honda and Toyota saw the sharpest decline in sales of U.S.-made cars, while Ford and Chrysler lost less ground. General Motor's sales of U.S.-made cars in Japan increased over last year's August sales.

The JAIA said the sharp drop in "reverse" imports registered by Toyota and Honda was the biggest reason behind the drop in August imported car sales. Honda's Accord Wagon, the company's main import, has run the course of its initial boom and sluggish demand has led Toyota to stop importing its Scepter Wagon.

Ford and Chrysler have both run into problems selling their main sedan models--the Taurus series and Neon, respectively--as they have not effectively attracted Japanese customers.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel