JAPAN: New-car imports in May fell compared...

JAPAN: New-car imports in May fell compared to the year-ago period for the fifth straight year-on-year monthly drop, the Japan Automobile Importers Assn. reported last week. New-car imports for May totaled 15,616 vehicles, down from 16,325 in May, 1990--a 4.3% year-on-year drop, the association said in its monthly report. An overall decline in the Japanese auto market was a major contributor to the fall in imports, an association spokesman said. German automobiles led the list with 8,729 vehicles, down 760--or 8%--from the year-ago period. American cars followed with 3,019 vehicles, representing a 16.7% rise from the same month the year before.