Sales of imported motor vehicles in Japan, including those made at Japanese carmakers’ overseas plants, plunged 22.7% in October from a year earlier to 11,390 units amid severe economic conditions, an industry body said. 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% to 10,382 units, and those of Japanese-brand vehicles plummeted 63.1% 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% from a year earlier. BMW was in second place with sales of 1,854 units, down 8.2%, followed by Mercedes-Benz at 1,558 units, down 10.3%.