Tokyo: New automobile sales in Japan rose in April-September 2023, after a fall in the same period last year, industry data showed Monday.

Sales in the first half of fiscal 2023 climbed 15.7 percent from a year before to 2,225,928 units, reflecting an easing of worldwide semiconductor shortages and resumptions of plant operations following COVID-19-related operation suspensions.

Despite the increase, new vehicle sales have yet to return to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Of overall sales of new automobiles in the reporting period, those of minivehicles with engine displacements of up to 660 cc were percent 6.6 percent to 800,170 units, while that of larger vehicles surged 21.6 percent to 1,425,758 units.

The overall sales data were released by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association.

Seven of the eight major Japanese automakers enjoyed rises in sales, with the exception being Subaru Corp., which was negatively affected by plant construction work.

“We expect sales to continue to be brisk in light of the semiconductor shortages being resolved,” an official at JADA said.

In September alone, new automobile sales rose 10.7 percent from a year before to 437,493 units, up for the 13th month in a row.

“Although sales tend to increase in September, which is the final month of the first half of a fiscal year, (the sales figure) has not recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels just yet,” a Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association official said.

JIJI Press