JAPAN

Vehicle Sales Increase 0.5%: The trend is expected to continue this year as the Japanese economy pulls out of its slump, industry sources said. The Japan Automobile Dealers Assn. said domestic vehicle sales excluding mini-vehicles rose 0.5% to 4.91 million units last year--the first gain since 1990, when sales totaled a record 5.98 million vehicles. Industry sources attributed the rebound mostly to inexpensive new models, price cuts for imported cars and strong demand for heavy trucks, as well as a budding economic recovery.