New car sales tumble in aftermath of Japan’s natural disasters and nuclear crisis
Tokyo, Japan (AHN) – New auto sales have plunged in Japan since the 9.0 earthquake and the tsunami and nuclear crisis that followed.
Auto sales were down by 37 percent in March compared to the figures from a year ago, according to Japan’s Auto Dealer Association.
That is the third largest drop in sales recorded since the industry trade group began tracking new vehicle sales in 1968.
However, it isn’t clear whether the drop in sales was because consumers stopped spending or because dealerships were destroyed in the March 11 quake and resultant tsunami or shut down temporarily afterward.
In addition, the disasters damaged infrastructure around the country, which shut down production of some auto parts needed for manufacturing vehicles for the countrys’ top three automakers, Toyota, Nissan and Honda.
Toyota saw sales plunge by 46 percent, Nissan sales fell 38 percent and Honda sales dropped 28 percent.
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