HispanicBusiness

Japanese automakers' share of new vehicle sales in China in October plunged 4.55 percentage points from the previous month to 7.61 pct, Chinese industry data showed Friday.

The figure slipped below 10 pct for the first time since statistics began and retreated to fifth place, behind automakers of China, Germany, the United States and South Korea, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Behind the tumble was a boycott of Japanese products in the country amid growing anti-Japan sentiment following Japan's nationalization in September of three of the Senkaku islands in Okinawa Prefecture. China lays claim to the Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea.

In September, Japanese automakers' share of new vehicle sales in China dived 6.46 points to fourth place, beaten by U.S. makers.

In October, new vehicle sales in China plummeted 53.5 pct from a year before at Honda Motor Co., 44.1 pct at Toyota Motor Corp. and 40.7 pct at Nissan Motor Co.

A Nissan spokesman said, however, "The number of customers was gradually increasing in the second half of October." Sales are expected to recover gradually in November and later.

Overall new vehicle sales in China in October grew 5.3 pct from a year before to 1,606,000 units, up for the first time in two months. Of the total, sales of passenger cars jumped 6.4 pct to 1,298,900 units.

Chinese automaker's share rose 2.37 points from the previous month to 45.09 pct thanks to a massive patriotic campaign in line with its claim to the islands.

German automakers' share grew 2.33 points to 21.61 pct. U.S. and South Korean automakers saw their shares remain almost unchanged at 12.54 pct and 9.67 pct, respectively.END