2009 February Archive at Weblog

Monthly Archive for February, 2009

Used vehicle exports down 18% to 97,238 units in November

27th February 2009

Used vehicle exports in November declined 18% ( or 21,751 units smaller compared with the year-ago result to 97,238 units, according to the Ministry of Finance Customhouse statistics. This is the second consecutive month of year-on-year decrease and the first month to show below 100,000 unit export volume since January 2008.

The November shipments bound for Russia, the biggest market, declined 11% on the year to 40,766 vehicles. Market share of the country stood at 41.9%, 2.6-point smaller than previous month. The average FOB price significantly fell by around 120,000 yen to 554,752 yen. Used vehicles exports to that country showed the first year-on-year decline on a monthly basis since 2002.

Used vehicles bound for U.A.E. declined 27% to 7,613 units. However, the average FOB price climbed by around 40,000 yen to 362,226 yen.

Exports to Chile also dropped 4% to 7,448 units. The average FOB price fell by around 20,000 yen to 257,493 yen.

Exports to South Africa increased 17% to 5,037 units. The average FOB price remained flat with around 310,000 yen. Used vehicles bound for Kenya declined by 7% to 4,830 units, while those to Tanzania increased 1% to 1,681 units. Exports to Uganda significantly rose by 117.4% to 2,217 units.

Used vehicles bound for Peru also increased by 76% to 3,123 units. Exports to bangladesh also jumped 73% to 4,319 units.

On the other hand, exports to New Zealand dropped more than 70% to 2,830 units. Exports to Philippines also declined by 65% to 869 units. Exported vehicles to Mongolia down(20%), Singapore(down 12%) showed year-on-year decreases.

Exports to U.S.A. increased by 69% to 1,223 units, due to strong demand for used minivehicles.

In the first 11 months of 2008, 1,258,391 used vehicles have been exported, up 6.7%, or 80,075 units larger, compared with the year-ago result.

Honda begins leasing fuel cell car in Japan

19th February 2009

On November 25, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. began leasing its new fuel cell car, the FCX Clarity, in Japan, targeting for the moment goverment agencies and a limited number of private firms.

The Environment Ministry became the first to take a lease on Honda’s eco-friendly vehicle, which emits no carbon dioxide.

The FCX Clarity can travel a distance of about 620 km on a single charge of hydrogen, up 30% compared with the previous fuel cell model FCX, the company claims.

Leasing of the car already began in the United States in July. Honda projects combined Japanese and U.S. sales of 200 units over the next three years.

The monthly leasing fee is 800,000 yen while the price is $600 (about 57,000 yen) in the United States.

Used car sales down 5.3% in October

12th February 2009

Used vehicles registrations, excluding 660cc engine minivehicles, fee 5.3% on the year to 371,734 units in October, the lowest October figure since 1988.

Due to fewer new car sales, the number of quality trade-ins finding their ways to the used car market has decreased. The deteriorating economy has also spurred customers to purchase minivehicles, which are cheaper to own.

In September, used car registrations grew due to special factors such as buying demand related to tougher emissions regulations. But through August, such registrations had receded for 29th straight month.

A breakdown of used vehicle registratios showed declined across all vehicle categories.

According to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association (JADA), the October total was made up of 152,869 midsize & large-size cars, down 0.4%, 162,405 small cars, off 9.1%, 20,468 heavy- and medium-duty trucks, down,?1.4%, 25,071 light trucks, off 8.2%, 1,321 buses, down 14.5%, 8,622 special purpose vehicles, off 8.3%, and 973 heavy special purpose vehicles, down 1.6%.

In the first nine months (January through October 2008) this year, 3,651,180 used vehicles have been registered, 5.5% behind the year-ago result.

Deregistrations for export dcline in October

09th February 2009

Used vehicle deregistrations for export in October totaled 159,727 units, down 7.9% from a year earlier, according to the Japan Japan Automobile Dealers Association. It was the first month of year-on-year decrease in two months.

The October total was made up of 46,726 midsize % large-size cars, down 10.6%, 82,348 small cars, off 5.2%, 7,342 heavy- and medium-duty trucks, down 12.1%, 19,174 light trucks, off 7.2%, 762 buses, down 30.8%, and 3,375 special purpose % other vehicles, off 7.9%.

In the January-October period, 1,306,727 used vehicles were registered for export purpose, up 7.5% over last year.

Deregistrations for export decline in October

03rd February 2009

Used vehicle deregistrations for export in October totaled 159,727 units, down 7.9% from a year earlier, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association. It was the first month of year-on-year decrease in two months.

The October total was made up of 46,726 midsize & Large-size cars, down 10.6%, 82,348 small cars, off 5.2%, 7,342 heavy- and medium-duty trucks, down 12.1%, 19,174 light trucks, off 7.2%, 762 buses, down 30.8%, and 3,375 special purpose & other vehicles, off 7.9%.