Foreign cars feel bite of Japanese imports

Japan's imported vehicle sales, including those built by Japanese carmakers abroad, surged 9.1 percent in August from a year ago to 18,096 vehicles, rising for the fourth straight month, industry data released Thursday show.

Imports of foreign brands alone, however, dipped 5.5 percent to 14,406 units, falling for the 14th month in a row due to disappointing sales of new models, the Japan Automobile Importers Association said.

Sluggish sales of foreign brands were offset by imports of Japanese brands, which rose for the fifth consecutive month, surging as much as 175.6 percent to 3,690 vehicles. The strong showing was bolstered by brisk sales of Nissan Motor Co.'s Dualis sport utility vehicle, association official Yasuhiko Yokota said.

Volkswagen remained the market leader for the second straight month, despite a 1.5 percent drop in sales to 3,190 vehicles. Mercedes-Benz was second, with 3,158 units.