Japan 2002: Honda Fit interrupts 33-year long Corolla domination!

Honda Fit

* See the Top 30 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

2002 is a historical year: for the first time in 34 years, the Toyota Corolla is not the best selling car in Japan! The car responsible for this extraordinary event is the Honda Fit. Launched in June 2001, the Fit was #1 for the first time in November of that year. It then managed to hold the pole position 9 out of 12 months in 2002 and finished the year at a stellar 250,790 sales.

Nissan March

The Toyota Corolla drops to #2 with a still respectable 226,222 sales (-4%). The new generation Nissan March jumps 13 spots and 131% to reach the podium at #3 with 139,221 sales. In a reshuffled ranking, the all-new Toyota Ist lands directly in 4th position with 103,570 sales. It launched in May directly in 5th place, ranked 3rd in June and held this position 4 more times, peaking at 18,464 sales in July.

Toyota Ist

The Toyota Vitz drops to #5 with 100,801 units (-29%). Three more models are new in the Top 10 this year: the Toyota Noah is up 793% at #6 with 97,080 sales, the Toyota Voxy is up 760% at #8 with 77,958 units and the Honda Mobilio is new this year, directly #10 at 72,242 sales.

You can see every monthly Top 30 for 2002 here.

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

Next year: Japan 2003: Corolla back on top, Toyota Wish #3

Full Year 2002 Top 30 Ranking Table below.