P.M. BRIEFING : Japan Import Car Sales Up 1.3%

TOKYO — Imported car sales increased 1.3% in September from a year before to 18,751 units, a record for the month, the Japan Automobile Import Assn. said today.

Strong demand for imported luxury cars continued to boost sales figures, extending the streak of increases to 81 consecutive months, the association said.

Brisk sales of Honda and Toyota models made in the United States pushed up sales of American cars 43.4% over a year ago, topping 2,353 units.

Germany continued to dominate the market despite its 11% decrease in sales. A total of 11,817 German vehicles were sold in September, compared to 13,275 a year ago. Sales of French cars soared 33.6% to 1,432; British cars rose 11.1% to 1,264 units; Swedish cars climbed almost 50% to 1,208 units, while Italian auto sales increased 23.7% to 475 units.