Tokyo - Imported vehicle sales in the past fiscal year plunged 24.8 per cent from the year before to 199,115 units, the Japan Automobile Importers Association said Monday.

Sales of vehicles made by foreign manufacturers dropped 22.2 per cent in the year that ended March 31 to 176,723 units while those produced abroad by Japanese makers nosedived 40.3 per cent to 22,392 units.

Volkswagen sold 40,661 units for the year, ranking at the top with a market share of 20.42 per cent, but its sales fell
21.2 per cent year-on-year.

Mercedes-Benz ranked second with a market share of 16.92 per cent, selling 33,686 units. Its sales were down 25.8 per cent from a year before.

BMW placed third with sales of 31,928 units, down 30.3 per cent, and with a market share of 16.03 per cent.

In March alone, imported vehicle sales fell 26.8 per cent to 23,218 units for the 11th-straight month of declines, the association said.

Sales of vehicles made by foreign firms dropped 26.7 per cent to 20,820 units while sales of vehicles made abroad by Japanese makers were down 27.6 per cent at 2,398 units. (dpa)