Tokyo  - Demand for foreign-brand cars in Japan declined and imported vehicle sales in February sank to the lowest level in 20 years amid the global financial turmoil, an industry body said Thursday.

Sales of new cars imported from overseas fell 33.9 per cent in February to 12,350 units from the same month a year before, the Japan Automobile Importers Association said.

Sales of vehicles made by foreign companies declined 34 per cent to 10,833 units, and those of vehicles produced by Japanese makers abroad sank 33.2 per cent to 1,517 units.

German brands continue to dominate the Japanese import market, with Volkswagen being the best-selling brand in Japan, with a market share of 23.27 per cent, but its sales dropped 33.7 per cent to 2,874 units.

Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz ranked second with a 17.04-per-cent market share and sold 2,105 units, down 34.9 per cent from February 2008.

BMW came third with a 12.19-per-cent share. Its sales sank 46.6 per cent to 1,505 units. (dpa)