P.M. BRIEFING : Japanese See Foreign-Car Boom

Supported by brisk domestic demand amid steady economic expansion, foreign auto makers will enjoy a growing sales boom in Japan in 1990, boosting their market share above 5%, the Japan Automobile Importers Assn. said.

Sales of imported cars in 1990 will top 240,000 units, reaching the market share of an estimated 5.71%, the association indicated Monday.

Sales this year were estimated at 180,000 units, up 34.7% over last year, the association said.

“The changing consumer taste favoring deluxe-type cars and the active sales drive by car makers, coupled with the Japanese government’s import promotion policy, are encouraging factors behind the bullish outlook,” a spokesman for the association said.