According to preliminary data released by the Japan Automobile Importers Association, sales of imported cars rose by 5.5% YoY to 35,841 vehicles in September 2012, up for the third straight month.

That figure is the highest since September 1996, when sales reached 38,017 units, and the third largest since data was first collected in 1966. Imports of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation vehicles from Thailand pushed up the overall figure.

Sales of Japanese imports jumped 18% YoY to 9,183 units. Mitsubishi reported sales of 4,484 vehicles, a sharp increase from 3 units logged a year earlier, due to strong sales of the Thai made Mirage compact, which was introduced in Japan at the end of August 2012.

Toyota Motor Corporation saw imported models rise 19.7% YoY due to stronger sales of the Avensis wagon, imported from the UK.

Foreign automakers saw sales rise 1.7% YoY to 26,658 vehicles.

Mercedes Benz held a leading 14.78% share of the market, due to higher sales of its completely remodeled B Class and SL Class cars. The German automaker took the top share for the first time since September 2008.

Coming in second was Volkswagen AG, at 14.09%, followed by BMW AG, at 14.03%.

For the six months ended September 2012, sales of imports, including those made by Japanese automakers, increased by 5.3% YoY to 149,375 units.

Volkswagen held a leading 16.91% share thanks to robust sales of the Golf hatchback, followed by BMW AG, at 13.42% and Mercedes Benz, at 13.24%.

Source - Nikkei News

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