Demand for passenger cars in 2014 was distorted by the increase in the consumption tax rate to 8%, from 5% in April. A surge in sales in the first quarter of 2014 was followed by an inevitable drop-off in later months, but new registrations were up by 3% to 4.7m units for the year as a whole.
Car sales will rise by an average of 1.8% a year in 2015-19, but the impact of a further consumption tax increase in October 2017 will cause disruption to monthly sales data in 2017-18.
Japanese car manufacturers, led by Toyota, regained ground in the global car market in 2012-14, and their competitive position has been helped by the substantial depreciation of the yen that has taken place since late 2012.

Automotive report 5

Overview 5

Passenger cars 6

Commercial and other vehicles 8

Production 10

Fuel sources 12

Industry publishing schedule 15

中国科学技术信息研究所