Sales in Japan of new imported vehicles rose 2.6 percent on year in April, the Japan Automobile Importers Association (JAIA) said in a report on Tuesday. Up to 11,642 vehicles, including those produced abroad by Japanese automakers, were sold in Japan, marking the sixth successive monthly rise, JAIA said. However, of the total the industry body noted that sales in April of Japanese- brand vehicles fell 19.5 percent to 1,259 units, whilst sales of foreign-brand vehicles rose 6.1 percent to 10,383 units. Sales of passenger cars rose 2.9 percent on year in April totaling 10,667 units, with Volkswagen being the top seller shifting 32.2 percent more vehicles from a year earlier at 2,805 units. Mercedes-Benz sold 1,654 units, a jump of 18.9 percent, meanwhile BMW fell 17.4 percent selling 1,446 units. 