Sales of cars, trucks and buses in April fell 2.7 percent from a year earlier to 265,454 units, marking the eighth consecutive month of decline, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association said Wednesday.
The figures exclude minivehicles, which have engine displacements of up to 660cc, and specialty vehicles such as large truck cabs.
Car sales rose 6 percent to 212,189 units, up for the first time in two months. Commercial vehicles declined 27 percent to 52,017 units, marking the 12th consecutive month of decline.
Bus sales fell 0.6 percent to 1,248 units, down for the first time in seven months, the industry group said.
By automaker, Toyota Motor Corp. remained the top seller, at 115,093 units, but posted a 4.1 percent decline from the same month a year earlier. Nissan Motor Co. ranked second with sales of 48,256 units, up 4.1 percent.
Honda Motor Co. ranked third, with sales of 43,844 units, up 9.8 percent from a year earlier, the group said.
Minivehicle sales up
Minivehicles sales in April rose 0.7 percent from a year earlier to 137,944 units, marking the first increase in two months, the Japan Mini Vehicles Association said Wednesday.
Car sales increased by 5.2 percent to 99,223 units, while sales of commercial vehicles fell 9.4 percent to 38,721.
Minivehicles have an engine displacement of up to 660cc.
By manufacturer, Suzuki Motor Corp. was the top seller, with a market share of 32.9 percent, followed by Daihatsu Motor Co. with 27.1 percent.
Honda Motor Co. came in third with 16.2 percent, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Corp. at 11 percent, the group said.