TOKYO – A Japanese industry group said Wednesday that Japan's new imported vehicle sales saw the first year-on-year rise in 11 months in May as sales of vehicles made by Japanese carmakers abroad almost tripled.
May sales increased 5.8 percent to 20,743 units including 3,246 Japanese vehicles—up 183 percent—and 17,497 foreign-brand vehicles—down 5.2 percent—the Japan Automobile Importers Association said.
Among foreign brands, Volkswagen maintained its market leadership with sales at 3,682 vehicles in May, down 11.3 percent from a year earlier. BMW remained in second place with sales at 3,640 units, up 0.9 percent. Mercedes-Benz ranked third with sales totaling 2,968 vehicles, down 21.2 percent.