A dip in Hawaii automobile sales is being blamed on dealership inventories caused by the Fukushima earthquake and the subsequent temporary slowdown in vehicle production and parts production in some Japanese factories.
According to the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association (HADA), vehicle registrations fell 15 percent during the third quarter.
Japanese brands accounted for more than 65 percent of the Hawaii market last year, compared to about 42 percent across the nation. HADA says product shortages that lasted into early Fall hit Hawaii especially hard.
The group forecasts new vehicle registrations will remain relatively weak in 2012, due to sluggish economic growth.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
