Japan’s registrations for sales of new passenger cars, trucks and buses rose 14% in 2023, while registrations for sales of new motorcycles increased 4%, according to data released recently by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.
Registrations for all vehicle types – not including motorcycles – increased to 4.8 million in 2023, compared to 4.2 million in 2022.
Passenger car sales jumped 16% to 4 million, while truck sales rose 4% at 777,949. Smaller mini trucks accounted for the largest portion of the latter category but fell 2% to 403,589. Sales of standard trucks rose 17% to 122,629 while small truck sales increased 9% to 211,772. Bus sales jumped 53% to 8,410.
May was the slowest month, tallying just 326,731 sales, while March was busiest at 572,494. Sales topped the 400,000 mark in February, March, September and November.
Sales of motorcycles increased 4% to 376,720 in 2023.