Japan’s Imported-Car Sales Hit 20-Year High in 2017

TOKYO – The Japanese import-car market grew to a 20-year high of 351,020 units in 2017, according to the Japan Automobile Importers Assn.

Imports, which accounted for 6.7% of Japan’s 5,234,166 new-vehicle deliveries, grew 2.1% from 2016 levels, although sales still were below the 1995-1997 peak.

Total demand, both imports and domestics, grew 5.3% during the year.

Contributing to the results were increased sales of cars with next-generation powertrains including plug-in hybrids, all-electrics and clean diesels. Also aiding growth was the introduction of safety features such as adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.

In its 2017 sales report, the association reports Mercedes-Benz was the top foreign brand for the second consecutive year on sales of 68,221 units, followed by BMW and Volkswagen with 52,527 and 47,234, respectively.

Rounding out the top 10 were Audi, Mini, Toyota, Volvo, Nissan, Jeep and Peugeot. Of the top 10 brands, all but Audi and Nissan reported growth (see table).

U.S. automakers (excluding BMW US Mfg.) sold 12,677 units, down 6.4% from like-2016. Jeep again was U.S. brand leader with 10,101 deliveries.

GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (excluding Jeep) sold only 2,575 cars combined. Ford closed its Japanese dealership network in 2016.

Foreign brands comprised 87.2% of import sales, while Japanese models built outside the country represented the remaining 12.8%. The 44,932 deliveries of Japanese-brand models were down 7.5% from prior year.

Most Toyota and Nissan imports were produced in Thailand. Toyota was the largest importer of trucks, which comprised 95% of sales (16,212 units).

Following Toyota and Nissan, ranked sixth and eighth, were Suzuki (14th) at 5,768 units, Mitsubishi (16th) at 3,909, and Honda (19th) at 2,987.

The association has not issued a 2018 import-sales forecast.