Japan Imports Q1 2014: Golf first ever import above 10,000 sales

VW Golf breaks the Quarterly sales record for an imported model in Japan.

* See the Top 20 best-selling models and Top 50 brands by clicking on the title! *

Like every quarter, I can share with you the most popular imported models in Japan, a relatively rare species although it is getting more common these days: with 105,452 registrations (including 88,767 foreign vehicles and 16,685 Japanese), imports are up a magnificent 18% year-on-year over the first Quarter of 2014. Brand-wise, Volkswagen is the most popular foreign brand as usual and ranks 7th overall so far in 2014 (+27%), followed by Mercedes at #10 (+51%), BMW at #13 (+42%), Audi at #15 (+21%) and Volvo at #16 (+33%). Notice also Fiat up 113%, Jeep up 55%, Renault up 53%, Maserati up 237% and Bentley up 116%.

Mercedes S-Class

In the models ranking, building on an all-time high 9,114 sales over the last Quarter of 2013, the VW Golf becomes no less than the very first imported model in the history of automobile in Japan to sell over 10,000 units in a Quarter! At 11,984 sales, its score is even up a gargantuan 146% over the first Quarter of 2013! The Golf leaves the competition way behind, selling more than double the amount of the #2 the BMW 3 Series in exceptional shape as well at +54% to 5,684 units.

Maserati sales are up 237% so far in 2014 in Japan. 

As in 2013, the Mini is 3rd and the Mercedes A-Class 4th, while the Mercedes E-Class is up 121% to #7, the Audi A3 up 133% to #9, Volvo V40 up 70% to #11, the Fiat 500 back up 131% to #16 and the Mercedes S-Class up one spot on Q4 to a brilliant 13th position.

Previous post: Japan Imports Q4 2013: VW Golf breaks volume record

Previous year: Japan Imports Full Year 2013: BMW 3 Series up 69% to #2

One year ago: Japan Imports Q1 2014: VW Beetle and Mercedes A-Class up

Full Q1 2014 Top 20 models and Top 50 brands Ranking Tables below.