Nikkei reported that Japan's domestic sales of new cars, trucks and buses declined by 8.1% YoY in September 2012, the first fall in 13 months after a government program of purchase incentives to spur demand for fuel economy vehicles ended late month.

The Japan Automobile Dealers Association said that sales totaled 288,478 vehicles in September 2012, down from 313,790 in the same month last year.

Auto sales, as measured by registrations of vehicles with the government, are monitored by economists since they are the first consumer spending numbers released each month.

The figures don't include sales of mini cars and trucks.

Source - Nikkei

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