Sales of new vehicles in Japan surged in the first half of this year as a semiconductor shortage eased.

Auto industry groups say that more than 2.4 million units were sold from January to June.

That's up 17.4 percent from the same period last year, when Japan's new-car sales sank to the lowest level in 10 years. Auto production returned to normal during the period after it was reduced during the pandemic.

Sales of regular passenger cars, trucks, buses and other types of vehicles jumped 21.7 percent. Mini cars rose 10.7 percent.

The industry groups say the introduction of new models helped lift sales. But they warn that it's still not clear if the trend will continue, given that the chip shortage isn't over.