Japan’s green-car subsidy hangover is wearing off

JAPAN
Japan’s green-car subsidy hangover is wearing off
Prius suffers while Aqua swims through worst of troubles
Published: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 20:12:05 GMT
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Car sales in Asia’s second largest and the world’s third largest car market, Japan, have now fallen in seven out of the past eight months with August registrations dropping 1.6 per cent to 310,691 units - the far and away lowest rate of decline during this particular stretch.

The ending of government subsidies for fuel-efficient vehicles in September last year was expected to yield a severe hangover.

As it turns out, the effects were still felt for much of this year, with sales falling well short of last year’s comparatively high stimulated levels.

-8%
Cumulative new car sales to September this year compared to last year

A case in point, cumulative new car sales to September this year remain 8 per cent adrift on last year, shrinking to just a touch over 3 million units from almost 3.3 million at the same time last year.

Coming in the wake of severe falls in May, June and July, the good news is that August’s 1.6 per cent sales dip was the smallest drop seen so far this year.

Only April saw a minor 0.7 per cent car sales gain...more

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DATA AVAILABLE TO SUBSCRIBERS WITH THIS ARTICLE:

JAPAN new CAR sales:

by manufacturer and marque
AUGUST 2013 v AUGUST 2012
8-MONTHS 2013 v 8-MONTHS 2012

Top 20 SELLING CAR MODELS:

AUGUST 2013 v AUGUST 2012
8-MONTHS 2013 v 8-MONTHS 2012

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-8% Cumulative new car sales to September this year compared to last year

-8%
Cumulative new car sales to September this year compared to last year