Car sales fell sharply following a peak in June.

l executive at an Internet-services company in Tokyo and has plenty of disposable 【B1】 . He used to own Toyota's Hilux Surf, a sport utility vehicle. But now he uses 【B2】subways and trains. "It's not inconvenient at all," he says. 【B3】 , "having a car is so 20th century. "

Suda reflects a worrisome 【B4】 in Japan; the automobile is losing its emotional appeal, 【B5】 among the young, who prefer to spend their money on the latest electronic devices. 【B6】 mini-cars and luxury foreign brands are still popular, everything in between is 【B7】 . Last year sales fell 6.7 percent, 7.6 percent 【B8】 you don't count the mini-car market. There have been 【B9】 one-year drops in other nations: sales in Germany fell 9 percent in 2007 【B10】 a tax increase. But experts say Japan is 【B11】 in that sales have been decreasing steadily 【B12】 time. Since 1990, yearly new-car sales have fallen from 7.8 million to 5.4 million units in 2007.

Alarmed by this state of 【B13】 , the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) 【B14】 a comprehensive study of the market in 2006. It found that a 【B15】 wealth gap, demographic (人口结构的) changes and 【B16】 lack of interest in cars led Japanese to hold their 【B17】 longer, replace their cars with smaller ones 【B18】 give up car ownership altogether. JAMA 【B19】 a further sales decline of 1.2 percent this year. Some experts believe that if the trend continues for much longer, further consolidation (合并) in the automotive sector is 【B20】.

【B1】

A．profit

B．payment

C．income

D．budget

l executive at an Internet-services company in Tokyo and has plenty of disposable 67 . He used to own Toyota’s Hilux Surf, a sport utility vehicle. But now he uses 68 subways and grains . “It’s not inconvenient at all ,” he says 69 , “having a car is so 20th century.”

Suda reflects a worrisome 70 in Japan; the automobile is losing its emotional appeal, 71 among the young ,who prefer to spend their money on the latest electronic devices. 72 mini-cars and luxury foreign brands are still popular ,everything in between is 73 .Last years sales fell 6.7 percent, 7.6 percent 74 you don’t count the mini-car market . There have been 75 one-year drops in other nations :sales in Germany fell 9 percent in 2007 76 a tax increase . But experts say Japan is

77 in that sales have been decreasing steadily 78 time. Since 1990, yearly new-car sales have fallen from 7.8 million to 5.4 million units in 2007. Alarmed by this state of 79 , the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA)

80 a comprehensive study of the market in 2006. It found that a 81 wealth gap, demographic(人口结构的) changes and 82 lack of interest in cars led Japanese to hold their 83 longer , replace their cars with smaller ones84 give up car ownership altogether .JAMA

85 a further sales decline of 1.2 percent this year. Some experts believe that if the trend continues for much longer , further consolidation (合并) in the automotive sector is 86 .

67.

67. A) profit C) income

B) payment D) budget

l executive at an Internet-services company in Tokyo and has plenty of disposable 【B1】 . He used to own Toyota's Hilux Surf, a sport utility vehicle. But now he uses 【B2】subways and trains. "It's not inconvenient at all," he says. 【B3】 , "having a car is so 20th century. "

Suda reflects a worrisome 【B4】 in Japan; the automobile is losing its emotional appeal, 【B5】 among the young, who prefer to spend their money on the latest electronic devices. 【B6】 mini-cars and luxury foreign brands are still popular, everything in between is 【B7】 . Last year sales fell 6.7 percent, 7.6 percent 【B8】 you don't count the mini-car market. There have been 【B9】 one-year drops in other nations: sales in Germany fell 9 percent in 2007 【B10】 a tax increase. But experts say Japan is 【B11】 in that sales have been decreasing steadily 【B12】 time. Since 1990, yearly new-car sales have fallen from 7.8 million to 5.4 million units in 2007.

Alarmed by this state of 【B13】 , the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) 【B14】 a comprehensive study of the market in 2006. It found that a 【B15】 wealth gap, demographic (人口结构的) changes and 【B16】 lack of interest in cars led Japanese to hold their 【B17】 longer, replace their cars with smaller ones 【B18】 give up car ownership altogether. JAMA 【B19】 a further sales decline of 1.2 percent this year. Some experts believe that if the trend continues for much longer, further consolidation (合并) in the automotive sector is 【B20】.

【B1】

A．profit

B．payment

C．income

D．budget

l executive at an Internet-services company in Tokyo and has plenty of disposable 67 . He used to own Toyota’s Hilux Surf, a sport utility vehicle. But now he uses 68 subways and grains . “It’s not inconvenient at all ,” he says 69 , “having a car is so 20th century.”

Suda reflects a worrisome 70 in Japan; the automobile is losing its emotional appeal, 71 among the young ,who prefer to spend their money on the latest electronic devices. 72 mini-cars and luxury foreign brands are still popular ,everything in between is 73 .Last years sales fell 6.7 percent, 7.6 percent 74 you don’t count the mini-car market . There have been 75 one-year drops in other nations :sales in Germany fell 9 percent in 2007 76 a tax increase . But experts say Japan is

77 in that sales have been decreasing steadily 78 time. Since 1990, yearly new-car sales have fallen from 7.8 million to 5.4 million units in 2007. Alarmed by this state of 79 , the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA)

80 a comprehensive study of the market in 2006. It found that a 81 wealth gap, demographic(人口结构的) changes and 82 lack of interest in cars led Japanese to hold their 83 longer , replace their cars with smaller ones84 give up car ownership altogether .JAMA

85 a further sales decline of 1.2 percent this year. Some experts believe that if the trend continues for much longer , further consolidation (合并) in the automotive sector is 86 .

67.

67. A) profit C) income

B) payment D) budget

Kimiyuki Suda should be a perfect customer for Japan's car makers. He's a young (34) , successful executive at an internet-services company in Tokyo and has plenty of disposable income. He used to own Toyota's Hilux Surf, a sport utility vehicle. But now he uses mostly subways and trains. "It's not inconvenient at all," he says. Besides, "having a car is so 20th century. "

Suda reflects a worrisome trend in Japan; the automobile is losing its emotional appeal, particularly among the young, who prefer to spend their money on the latest electronic gadgets. While minicars and luxury foreign brands are still popular, everything in between is slipping. Last year sales fell 6.7 percent—7.6 percent if you don't count the minicar market. There have been larger one-year drops in other nations: sales in Germany fell 9 percent in 2007 thanks to a tax hike. But analysts say Japan is unique in that sales have been eroding steadily over time. Since 1990, yearly new-car sales have fallen from 7.8 million to 5.4 million units in 2007.

Alarmed by this state of decay, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association launched a comprehensive study of the market in 2006. It found a widening wealth gap, demographic changes—fewer households with children, a growing urban population—and general lack of interest in cars led Japanese to hold their vehieles longer, replace their cars with smaller ones or give up car ownership altogether. "Japan's automobile society stands at a crossroads," says Ryuichi Kitamura, a transport expert and professor at Kyoto University. He says he does not expect the trend to be reversed, as studies show that the younger Japanese consumers are, the less interested they are in having a car. JAMA predicts a further sales decline of 1.2 percent in 2008. Some analysts believe that if the trend continues for much longer, further consolidation in the automotive sector (already under competitive pressure) is likely.

Japanese demographics have something to do with the problem. The country's urban population has grown by nearly 20 percent since 1990, and most city dwellers use mass transit (the country's system is one of the best developed in the world) on a daily basis, making it less essential to own a car. Experts say Europe, where the car market is also quite mature, may" be in for a similar shift.

But in Japan, the "demotorization"process, or kuruma banare, is also driven by cost factors. Owning and driving a car can cost up to $500 per month in Japan, including parking fees, car insurance, toll roads and various taxes. Taxes on a $17, 000 ear in Japan are 4.1 times higher than in the United States, 1.7 times higher than in Germany and 1.25 times higher than in the U. K. , according to JAMA. "'Automobiles used to represent a symbol of our status, a Western, modern lifestyle. that we aspired for," says Kitamura. For today's young people, he argues, "such thinking is completely gone. "

Cars are increasingly just a mobile utility; the real consumer time and effort goes into picking the coolest mobile phones and personal computers, not the hippest hatchback. The rental-car industry has grown by more than 30 percent in the past eight years, as urbanites book weekend wheels over the Internet. Meanwhile, government surveys show that spending on cars per household per year fell by 14 percent, to $600, between 2000 and 2005, while spending on Net and mobile-phone subscriptions rose by 39 percent, to $1,500, during the same period.

For Japanese car companies, the implications are enormous. "Japan is the world's second largest market, with a 17 to 18 percent share of our global sales. It's important," says Takao Katagiri, corporate vice president at Nissan Motor Co. The domestic market is where Japanese carmakers develop technology and build their know-how, and if it falters, it could gut an industry that employs 7.8 percent of the Japanese work force.

While surgin

A．no longer consider owning a car as being fashionable.

B．tend to be rebellious in their choice of automobiles.

C．are becoming more reasonable when buying cars.

D．are becoming more and more interested in owning cars.

Kimiyuki Suda should be a perfect customer for Japan's carmakers. He's a young (34), successful executive at an Internet-services company in Tokyo and has plenty of disposable income. He used to own Toyota's Hilux Surf, a sport utility vehicle. But now he uses mostly subways and trains. "It's not inconvenient at all, " he says. Besides, "having a car is so 20th century."

Suda reflects a worrisome trend in Japan; the automobile is losing its emotional appeal, particularly among the young, who prefer to spend their money on the latest electronic gadgets. While minicars and luxury foreign brands are still popular, everything in between is slipping. Last year sales fell 6.7 percent--7.6 percent if you don't count the minicar market. There have been larger one-year drops in other nations: sales in Germany fell 9 percent in 2007 thanks to a tax hike. But analysts say Japan is unique in that sales have been eroding steadily over time. Since 1990, yearly new-car sales have fallen from 7.8 million to 5.4 million units in 2007.

Alarmed by this state of decay, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association launched a comprehensive study of the market in 2006. It found a widening wealth gap, demographic changes--fewer households with children, a growing urban population--and general lack of interest in cars led Japanese to hold their vehicles longer, replace their cars with smaller ones or give up car ownership altogether. "Japan's automobile society stands at a crossroads, "says Ryuichi Kitamura, a transport expert and professor at Kyoto University. He says he does not expect the trend to be reversed, as studies show that the younger Japanese consumers are, the less interested they are in having a car. JAMA predicts a further sales decline of 1.2 percent in 2008. Some analysts believe that if the trend continues for much longer, further consolidation in the automotive sector (already under competitive pressure) is likely.

Japanese demographics have something to do with the problem. The country's urban population has grown by nearly 20 percent since 1990, and most city dwellers use mass transit (the country's system is one of the best developed in the world) on a daily basis, making it less essential to own a ear. Experts say Europe, where the car market is also quite mature, may be in for a similar shift.

But in Japan, the "demotorization" process, or kuruma banare, is also driven by cost factors. Owning and driving a car can cost up to $ 500 per month in Japan, including parking fees, car insurance, toll roads and various taxes. Taxes on a $17, 000 car in Japan are 4.1 times higher than in the United States, 1.7 times higher than in Germany and 1.25 times higher than in the U. K. , according to JAMA. "Automobiles used to represent a symbol of our status, a Western, modern lifestyle. that we aspired for, "says Kitamura. For today's young people, he argues, "such thinking is completely gone."

Cars are increasingly just a mobile utility; the real consumer time and effort goes into picking the coolest mobile phones and personal computers, not the hippest hatchback. The rental-car industry has grown by more than 30 percent in the past eight years, as urbanites book weekend wheels over the Internet. Meanwhile, government surveys show that spending on cars per household per year fell by 14 percent, to $ 600, between 2000 and 2005, while spending on Net and mobile-phone subscriptions rose by 39 percent, to $1, 500, during the same period.

For Japanese car companies, the implications are enormous. "Japan is the world's second largest market, with a 17 to 18 percent share of our global sales. It's important, "says Takao Katagiri, corporate vice president at Nissan Motor Co. The domestic market is where Japanese carmakers develop technology and build their know-how, and if it falters, it could gut an industry that employs 7.8 percent of the Japanese work force.

While surging exports, p

A．no longer consider owning a car as being fashionable.

B．tend to be rebellious in their choice of automobiles.

C．are becoming more reasonable when buying cars.

D．are becoming more and more interested in owning cars.

new Mercedes—Benz sedans. "They have tears in their eyes and keep saying how lucky they are," says Rossner, the Mercedes employee responsible for post-delivery celebrations. Rossner has also seen the French pop corks on bottles of champagne as their national flag was hoisted above a purchase and she has seen American business executives, Japanese tourists and Russian politicians travel thousands of miles to a Mercedes plant in southwestern Germany when a classic sedan with the trademark three-pointed star was about to roll off the assembly line and into their lives. Those were the good old days at Mercedes, an era that began during the economic miracle of the 1960s and ended in 1991. Times have changed. "Ten years ago, we had clear leadership in the market," says Mercedes spokesman Horst Krambeer, "But over this period, the market has changed drastically. We are now in a pitched battle. The Japanese are partly responsible, but Mercedes has had to learn the hard way that even German firms like BMW and Audi have made efforts to rise to our standards of technical proficiency."

Mercedes experienced one of its worst years ever in 1992. The auto maker's worldwide car sales fell by 5 percent from the previous year, to a low of 527,500. Before the decline, in 1988, the company could sell close to 600,000 cars per year. In Germany alone, there were 30,000 fewer new Mercedes registrations last year than in 1991. As a result, production has plunged by almost 50,000 cars to 529, 400 last year, a level well beneath the company's potential capacity of 650,000. Mercedes's competitors have been catching up in the U.S., the world's largest car market. In 1986, Mercedes sold 100,000 vehicles in America; by 1991, the number had declined to 39,000. Over the last two years, the struggling company has lost a slice of its U.S. market share to BMW, Toyota and Nissan. And BMW outsold Mercedes in America last year for the first time in its history. Meanwhile, just as Mercedes began making some headway in Japan, a notoriously difficult market, the Japanese economy fell on hard times and the company saw its sales decline by 13 percent in that country.

Revenues(收益) will hardly improve this year, and the time has come for getting down to business. At Mercedes, that means cutting payrolls, streamlining production and opening up to consumer needs. Revolutionary steps for a company that once considered itself beyond improvement.

The author's intention in citing various nationalities' interests in Mercedes is to illustrate Mercedes' ______.

A．sale strategies

B．market monopoly

C．superior quality

D．past record