Sales of new imported vehicles in Japan, including those produced by Japanese makers, fell 4.7 percent in May from a year earlier to 19,535 units, down for the second straight month, the Japan Automobile Importers Association said Friday.
Foreign-brand imports totaled 17,004, down 4.9 percent, while sales of Japanese-made imports came to 2,531, down 3.4 percent.
Sales of Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz cars -- the top two foreign brands in Japan -- decreased in May, while sales of BMW, Volvo and Toyota imports rose.
Toyota imports scored a huge 395.1 percent increase to 1,807 vehicles in the reporting month, due to brisk sales of British-made Avensis luxury sedans and station wagons, which hit the market in October.
Avensis vehicles accounted for about 90 percent of the total units sold, according to the association.
The Avensis became the first European-made Toyota car imported to Japan.
Toyota's share of the import market expanded to 9.25 percent in May from 1.78 percent a year ago.
Sales of Volkswagen cars totaled 3,793 in May, down 8.1 percent, marking a 19.42 percent market share. Sales of Mercedes-Benz cars totaled 3,151, down 6.3 percent for a 16.13 percent market share.
Sales of BMW cars increased 15.4 percent to 2,820, representing a 14.44 percent market share.
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