Tokyo, Feb. 3 (Jiji Press)–New automobile sales in Japan in January fell 11.7 pct from a year earlier to 360,103 units, down for the fourth straight month, industry data showed Monday.

Automobile sales excluding minivehicles stood at 221,464 units, down 11.1 pct, according the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.

Sales of minivehicles with engine displacements of up to 660 cc fell 12.8 pct to 138,639 units, the Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association said.

All automakers saw sales declines except Subaru Corp. <7270>, which halted its manufacturing operations a year before due to its product quality scandal.

Honda Motor Co.’s <7267> sales plummeted 23.9 pct. Nissan Motor Co. <7201> logged a 20.8 pct plunge.

“Consumers were waiting for the release of new models of popular vehicles in February,” a JADA official said.

The weak sales followed the year-before strength, a minivehicle association official said, recognizing only a limited impact of the consumption tax hike in October last year.