Japan's sales of imported motor vehicles plummeted 33.9 percent year-on-year in February to 12,350 units, the Japan Automobile Importers Association said on Thursday.

The sales, including those of Japanese brands manufactured abroad, suffered a 10th consecutive monthly decrease, which the trade body attributed to the deteriorating economy amid the ongoing global financial crisis.

Foreign-brand vehicles sold in Japan plunged 34.0 percent to 10,833 units while sales of Japanese vehicles dived 33.2 percent to 1,517 units, said the association.

In terms of manufacturers, Volkswagen ranked No. 1 with sales of 2,874 units, followed by Mercedes-Benz and BMW with sales of 2,105 and 1,505 units, respectively.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2009)