Domestic car sales in 2001 will reach 6.1 million units, up 2.2 percent from this year, as demand is expected to continue to slowly recover, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said Thursday.
Auto sales in 2000 -- including passenger cars, trucks and buses -- are estimated to total 5.97 million, up 1.9 percent from 1999.
This was because of the slight increase in personal income and consumption.
While the slowdown of the U.S. economy may decrease exports from Japan, a likely economic recovery in Japan led by corporate capital investment and consumer spending will boost domestic sales next year, JAMA said.
The association predicted that new models and model changes being planned by domestic and foreign automakers will also encourage car users to buy new vehicles.