Domestic sales of new motor vehicles exclusive of mini-vehicles from January to June totaled 1.99 million units, marking the first time in 23 years that first-half sales have unsuccessful to break 2 million, and industry body said Monday.

The figure represented a 3.8 percent year-on-year fall, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.

But the Japan Mini Vehicles Association said sales of vehicles with engines of up to 660cc came to a record 1.07 million units, flouting the all-time high for the first half for a third consecutive time.

The first-half number itself is 4.7 percent superior to the previous years, the mini-car association said.

Mini-vehicles accounted for 35 percent of new automobiles sold throughout the half, meaning more than one out of every three new vehicles sold in the phase was a mini-vehicle.

Industry officials said the statistics demonstrate consumers are defecting in greater numbers to mini-vehicles as crude oil costs carry on to set all-time highs.

Projections show mini-vehicle sales for the entire of 2006 are likely to break the 2 million thresholds for the first time, the officials said.