Japanese auto sales rebound in L.A. County.

Most automakers struggle to keep pace with 1994

Third-quarter sales rebounded for the Los Angeles County-based sales divisions of Japanese automakers, but they remained flat compared to a year ago. Most are struggling to keep pace with 1994.

The local picture is a reflection of overall U.S. vehicle sales, which were down 1.8 percent through the third quarter and 3.1 percent during September alone. Industry observers blamed the sales dip on model shortages and the changeover to the 1996 model year, which traditionally takes place in early autumn.

"For the most part it's a competitive market," said Nancy Hubbell, spokeswoman for Torrance-based Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Toyota's vehicle sales are off 0.4 percent for the year so far, or 3,199 units behind 1994. That's compared to being ahead 2.3 percent at the end of the second quarter.

While Toyota has not made official sales projections, Hubbell predicted sales for the year would end ahead of 1994. September sales were down 6.9 percent.

Meanwhile, the third quarter was an improvement for Honda, Nissan and Isuzu. All had disappointing second quarters, due mainly to the looming threat of tariffs against imported luxury cars. The Nissan Infiniti division's June sales were down nearly half from the year before. Toyota's Lexus and Honda's Acura divisions also took hits that month.

Nissan accelerates

The biggest gainer this year has been Gardena-based Nissan North America. It sold 566,718 cars and trucks through September, up 1.9 percent from a year ago. September sales were up 21.8 percent. That compares to the end of the second quarter, when sales were down 4.5 percent.

Nissan's 200SX sports coupe, a new model for 1995, has added a big boost, with sales of 20,962 through September. Sales of the 240SX are ahead 24 percent for the year to date.

Sales at its Infiniti luxury division, boosted by its new 130 sedan, are up 17 percent for the year, with 47,613 vehicles sold. However, they were ahead 25.5 percent through the second quarter, even taking the disastrous June into account.

"The 130 sales have been steadily increasing, and the Infiniti momentum continues to build," said Jim Gill, a Nissan spokesman.

Torrance-based American Honda Motor Co.'s sales were ahead 0.9 percent from a year ago, with 521,953 vehicles sold, 4,718 more than a year ago. September sales were up 1.4 percent. Sluggish Accord sedan and Prelude sports coupe sales canceled out gains made by Honda's other lines.

Isuzu posts drop

City of Industry-based American Isuzu Motors Inc.'s sales are down 16.8 percent for the year. Despite the numbers, it has gained ground from second quarter results, when sales were down 19.5 percent. September sales were down 4.5 percent.

Isuzu, which sells only pickup trucks and sports utilities, canceled domestic production of its pickup line at the beginning of the year. Import pickup sales, handicapped by a tariff, have not picked up the slack. Sales of Isuzu's Trooper and Amigo sports utilities are also down.

Honda's Acura luxury division sales, hobbled by steep drops in its Integra and Legend lines, are down 19.6 percent for the year. That compares to a 19.1 percent lag through the second quarter. September sales were down 4.6 percent.

Toyota's Lexus luxury division's sales are down 10.1 percent for the year through September, compared to a 2.1 percent dip through the second quarter. September sales were down 14.6 percent. Volume on four of Lexus' five models are down this year.