Japan October 2012: Toyota Aqua takes the lead, 86 up to #14

November 6, 2012
Matt Gasnier

Toyota Aqua

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

Sales of ‘regular’ new vehicles are down 9% year-on-year in October in Japan to 225,543 units, all-in-all a softer drop than expected given the end of the government’s incentive program for eco-friendly cars. The year-to-date total is still up a massive 32% on 2011 at 2,931,871 registrations.

Big news this month: the Toyota Aqua frankly takes the lead of the Japanese models ranking with 24,192 sales vs. 18,116 for the Prius, which nevertheless stays #1 year-to-date by far at 279,063 units vs. 219,824. The last time a new nameplate ranked #1 for the first time in Japan was in 2009 and it was also hybrid cars: in April 2009 the Honda Insight ranked #1 and in May 2009 the Toyota Prius was crowned for the first time…

Toyota Spade

The Nissan Note ranks #3 for the second month in a row and the third time ever after February 2005 with 10,007 sales, up 183% year-on-year. Below the Honda Fit down a painful 58% at #4, the Toyota Spade is up 6 spots on September to land in 5th place at 6,180 units, by far its best-ever ranking in the country.

Toyota 86

The other model breaking its ranking record this month in Japan is the Toyota 86, up 8 ranks to a formidable #14 with 3,152 sales. Notice also the Subaru Impreza (incl. XV) at an extremely robust 8th position and the Mitsubishi Mirage at #15.

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