TOKYO, Nov. 6_(Kyodo) _ Sales of imported motor vehicles in Japan, including those made at Japanese carmakers' overseas plants, dived 22.7 percent in October from a year earlier to 11,390 units amid severe economic conditions, an industry body said Friday.

The number represents the 18th consecutive monthly fall, the Japan Automobile Importers Association said.

Of the total, sales of foreign-brand vehicles fell 13.5 percent to 10,382 units, and those of Japanese-brand vehicles plummeted 63.1 percent to 1,008 units, it said.

By brand, Volkswagen retained first place on the sales ranking list with sales of 2,420 units, down 23.0 percent from a year earlier.

BMW was in second place with sales of 1,854 units, down 8.2 percent, followed by Mercedes-Benz at 1,558 units, down 10.3 percent.

Cumulative sales of imported vehicles in the January-October period, including those of Japanese brands, dropped 22.8 percent to 144,263 units.

<<Kyodo News International, Inc. -- 11/06/2009>>