Japan automobile sales fall in ’01 as economy worsens

Tokyo, Jan 7: Japanese automobile sales fell last year with analysts forecasting more gloom ahead for the industry as it struggles with a sputtering economy.

The overall vehicle sales for the 2001 calendar year declined by 1 per cent year-on-year to 5.91 million units, with December sales down by 4.6 per cent at 442,034 units, the fourth straight monthly fall, according the Japan Automobile Dealer Association and the Japan Mini Vehicle Association.

Ordinary vehicle sales, which exclude minivehicles, were weak again in December, down 7.6 per cent year-on-year at 296,881 units. They tumbled 9.3 per cent in November, contributing to a decline of 0.9 per cent in 2001 to 4.06 million units.

Analysts said the steep fall registered in vehicle sales since September indicates a trend of poor demand and saw difficult times ahead for the coming year, as the economy staggers due to weak consumer demand and rising unemployment.

Sales of cheaper 660cc minivehicles, which account for about a third of the total market, also slumped in 2001, down 1.1 per cent at 1.85 million units. Still, minivehicle sales did post a third straight month of gains in December, up 2.2 per cent at 145,153 units.

Among individual carmakers, Japan’s largest automaker Toyota Motor Corp posted another year-on-year decline in sales for December, down 3.9 per cent at 122,003 units.

Honda Motor Co Ltd, Japan’s third-largest carmaker, was the only major carmaker to post a Y-oY sales gain in December, edging 0.7 per cent higher to 52,507 units.

— Reuters