Global sales of Japanese carmakers inch up in May

Combined global vehicle sales of eight major Japanese automakers rose slightly by 0.5 percent year-on-year in May, reaching 2.02 million units, according to data released Friday.

Toyota Motor Corp. led the growth with a 6.9 percent increase in global sales, driven by strong demand for hybrid vehicles in North America.

Rush purchases in the United States also continued amid concerns over potential price increases tied to high tariffs imposed under the Trump administration.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Daihatsu Motor Co. likewise reported improved global sales during the month.

However, not all carmakers saw gains. Mazda Motor Corp. experienced a 9.1 percent drop in global sales, while Subaru Corp. recorded a 6.3 percent decline, largely due to waning last-minute demand in the US market.