Persistent world economic crisis dragged Japan's domestic sales of new vehicles in November down by 27.3 percent from a year earlier to 215,783 units, the fourth consecutive monthly decline and the lowest for the month in 39 years, Japanese media reported on Monday.

Sales of passenger cars fell 27.9 percent to 186,554 units, and those of trucks dropped 23.8 percent to 28,338 units, while those of buses totaled 891 units, up 0.8 percent.

Sales for this year, estimated to fall to around 3.2 million units, are likely to be at a level comparable to that in 1974, when the industry was hit hard by the oil crisis, Kyodo News Agency quoted the Japan Automobile Dealers Association as saying.

The group's data exclude mini-vehicles with engine displacements of up to 660 cc.

Mini-vehicle sales in November declined 0.7 percent from a year earlier to 153,101 units, the first fall in two months, according to the Japan Mini Vehicles Association.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2008)