Japan sales slump

AUSTRALIA might be enjoying a booming car market, but vehicle sales have hit a 30-year low in Japan. Car sales have dropped 10 per cent in the first six months of this year to a low of 1,788,440.

The Japan Automobile Dealers Association said sales have not been this bad since the first half of 1977.

Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cars sales in June were down year-on-year for the 24th month in a row. One of the biggest factors in the poor result is a 15.1 per cent drop in sales of small cars, which is the biggest segment in the Japanese market.

Nissan sales were down 13.2 per cent, Honda was down 5.6 per cent and Toyota was down 10.9 per cent. Japanese car-makers are hoping new model introductions in the second half of the year will help lift sales.