P.M. BRIEFING : Large-Car Demand Pushes Sales of Imported Autos in Japan Up 35.8%

TOKYO — Paced by brisk demand for large-sized cars, imported car sales in Japan in May soared 35.8% over a year ago to a record 13,446 units, marking the 65th straight year-on-year rise, the Japan Automobile Importers’ Assn. announced today.

The association said imported car sales for the first five months of this year totaled 63,478 units, up 34.9% over the corresponding period of last year.

West German cars continued to dominate the imported car market, accounting for 8,624 units of the total sales in May, up 35.5% over a year ago, the association said.

Sales of U.S.-made cars totaled 1,793 units, up 10.5%, while those of British cars increased to 1,206 units, a whopping 81.9%, the association said.

Sales of French cars totaled 806 units, up 83.6%, while those of Italian cars rose 5.4% to 332 units. Swedish cars accounted for 614 units, up 29%.

The association said sales of large-sized cars jumped 75.7% to 6,242 units, while those of compact cars gained 12.5% to 7,071 units.