Japan 2006: New generation enables Corolla to keep the lead

* You can see the Top 30 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

The Toyota Corolla returns to its traditional Japanese market domination pattern and leads 8 months out of 12. The 10th generation of the model is launched in October and sales reflect it immediately: the Corolla is up 48% year-on-year in November and 52% in December. Full Year 2006 sales are down 4% at 143,176 units.

The Toyota Vitz takes advantage of the previous gen Corolla running out of steam mid-year to take the lead in April, July and August. It sells 117,641 units this year, down 11% but still ahead of the Honda Fit, #1 in September and #3 overall at 101,793 sales (-19%).

Toyota Estima

The best performing new model this year is the revamped Toyota Estima (aka Previa/Tarago) up 172% year-on-year in 4th place with 95,626 sales. It was #2 in February and March and #3 in April, July, October and November, peaking at 16,663 units. The Nissan Serena also enjoys the effects of its substantial facelift, up 9 spots to rank 5th overall with 80,901 sales.

Nissan Serena

The Honda StepWGN and Toyota Ractis both confirm their 2005 sales surge by ranking 6th and 8th overall respectively. The new gen Toyota bB (aka Scion xB) is a total success: it is 4th in January (6,884 sales) and 5th in February (9,358 sales) and finishes the year at #15 at 62,964 units, up 15 spots and 61%.

16 years after the US launch, the Lexus brand is finally deployed in Japan in 2005. In October 2006, a Lexus model, the LS460, breaks into the Japanese Top 30 for the very first time at #28 with 2,570 sales. It ranks #21 in November (3,860 units) and #26 in December (2,835).

You can check every monthly Top 30 for 2006 here.

Previous year: Japan 2005: Toyota Vitz threatens Corolla, Ractis starts strong

Next year: Japan 2007: 37th year of Corolla domination (it’s the last one)

Full Top 30 Ranking Table: click on ‘Read more’ below the Lexus LS460 pic.

Lexus LS460