New car sales in Japan fell for first time in 3 years

In 2019, 5,195,216 new cars were sold in Japan, down 1.5% than in 2018, Kyodo reported.

The fall recorded in 2019 was the first in three years.

The causes? Demand for new vehicles slowed due to natural disasters that hit Japan (typhoons in September and October) and the increase in the consumption tax from 8% to 10% in October.

Nissan's sales fell sharply from 13.8% to 367,514 units. Apparently the Ghosn case (former president of the company arrested for financial irregularities, released on bail and now fugitive from Japanese justice) has affected the Japanese manufacturer.

Honda also recorded a decline in sales: 5.4% to 357,242 units.

Different was the case for Toyota, the leading car manufacturer in Japan, whose sales rose 2.7% to 1,510,741.

Sales of mini-vehicles (very popular in Japan, vehicles with engines up to 660 cc) fell 0.7% to 1,910,346 units. (International Press)