Japan’s new car sales slipped 11.5pc to 4.59mn units in 2020 compared to the previous year. Pandemic induced economic crisis has led to the shortfall in 2020, according to data from Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association, local media reported.
This is the worst slip since 2011 when auto sales had slumped 15.1pc to 4.21mn units owing to the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami that disrupted supply chains completely.
In 2020, sales plunged in March-April owing to COVID-19 induced lockdowns after which a state of emergency was declared in Japan. Car sales slipped 12.3pc to around 2.8mn units in that period. Sales of mini-cars slipped 10.1pc during the period compared to the prior year.
In Japan, car sales picked-up towards April-end with the start of new business and school years in the country. However, uncertainty lingers in 2021 with Japan continuing to battle the resurgence of COVID-19. The government is on the verge of declaring another emergency.