TOKYO (Nikkei)--Japanese automobiles are selling well in North America, with new car sales up 15% year on year in June. This is in sharp contrast to a combined 6% fall in sales at the Big Three U.S. automakers -- General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG.

Analysts believe that Americans are turning to fuel-efficient Japanese cars in response to a near doubling of gasoline price from a year ago.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. had record monthly sales of 32,300 units, up 88% from the previous year. The company revised its North American sales plan for 2000 to some 300,000 units, up from 270,000. "We may even realize our midterm sales target of 400,000 units before 2005," a company official said.

The popular Civic subcompact of Honda Motor Co. had a 6% increase in sales in June, helped by its fuel efficiency.

North American sales at Honda and Toyota Motor Corp. were at record highs in June.

Hino Motors Ltd. and Mazda Motor Corp. also saw a sharp rise in sales.

(The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Friday morning edition)