The share of China's auto market by Japanese brands dropped to 16.75 percent in April from 20 percent in March, according to statistics released by China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Toyota sold 48,700 cars in April, 23 percent fewer than the same period of 2010. Its joint ventures FAW Toyota and Guangqi Toyota failed to make the top 10 list of passenger car companies for the month.

Honda sold 43,400 cars in April, a 22 percent decline from the same period in 2010.

Toyota and Honda have been the automakers hardest hit by the massive earthquake and tsunami in March.