Japan 2000: Toyota Vitz threatens Corolla for pole position

Toyota Vitz

* See the Top 30 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Florian *

In 2000 the Toyota Corolla celebrates 32 consecutive years atop the Japanese passenger cars ranking with 162,870 sales, however it is only 2,000 units above a very successful newcomer: the Toyota Vitz (aka Yaris), #2 at 160,731 units for its first full year of sales in the country. The Corolla was even trailing the Vitz for most of the year, with the latter taking the lead of the monthly rankings 6 times: from January to May without interruption and in July.

Honda Odyssey

The Toyota Estima completes a 100% Toyota podium, ranking #3 with 122,437 sales. The Honda Odyssey and Toyota FunCargo (aka Yaris Verso) follow. Note the Honda Odyssey was #1 in June with 14,639 units while the Toyota Estima led the ranking in August at 8,862 sales.

Toyota FunCargo

No less than 3 Kei cars sell more than the Corolla this year: the Suzuki Wagon R is at 244,943 units, ahead of the Honda Life at 181,871 sales and the Daihatsu Move at 177,022 units. The Daihatsu Mira and Subaru Pleo follow.

You can check out each monthly Top 30 for 2000 here.

Previous year: Japan 1999: Toyota Corolla and Vitz in the lead

Next year: Japan 2001: Year 33 of the Toyota Corolla reign

Full Year 2000 Top 30 Passenger Cars and Top 5 Kei Cars Ranking Tables below.