Japan's New Auto Sales Up 4.1 Pct in July

Tokyo, Aug. 1 (Jiji Press)--New automobile sales in Japan in July rose 4.1 pct from a year earlier to 459,456 units, marking their first increase in two months, industry data showed Thursday. Last-minute demand before a consumption tax increase in October is limited, an official at the Japan Automobile Dealers Association said. Sales of new autos, excluding minivehicles with engine displacement of up to 660 cc, rose 6.7 pct to 300,799 units, their first growth in two months, according to the JADA. The rise was led by strong demand for revamped models, including Toyota Motor Corp.'s <7203> RAV4 SUV and Mazda Motor Corp.'s <7261> flagship Mazda 3 compact sedan. Minivehicle sales fell 0.6 pct to 158,657 units, their second consecutive month of decline, according to the Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association. Strong demand for Honda Motor Co.'s <7267> N-Box and Nissan Motor Co.'s <7201> Dayz was more than offset by Suzuki Motor Corp.'s production curbs in response to a scandal over its inappropriate vehicle inspections. END