Global sales for forklifts manufactured in Japan in May were 10,379 units, a 17.9 per cent increase on May 2004, according to the Japan Industrial Vehicles Association.

It was the 32nd consecutive month of year-on-year increases in global sales.

Sales of battery-powered forklifts in May were 3,989, up 24.7 per cent on May last year, while sales of diesel or gasoline forklifts were 6,390 units, an increase of 13.9 per cent on May 2004.

Japan's total domestic forklift sales for May increased to 6,765, up 17.2 per cent on the previous year's figure. Total exports were 3,623, a rise of 19.1 per cent, the 23rd consecutive month of year-on-year sales increases.

Domestic sales of battery-powered forklifts were 3,239 in May 2005, a 24.2 per cent increase on the previous year's figure. Diesel and gasoline powered forklift sales were 3,517, up 11 per cent on May 2004.