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Japan August 2016: Toyota (+16%) outpaces market back in positive

Toyota Prius Japan August 2016. Picture courtesy autoc-one.jpThe Toyota Prius remains the uncontested leader of the Japanese market.

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 55 All-brands, Top 30 cars and Top 34 kei cars *

August marks only the second month of year-on-year gains in Japan so far in 2016 along with April with overall sales up 2.9% to 336.661. The year-to-date tally however remains in negative territory at -3.8% to 3.299.615 units. Imports are up 0.5% to 19.782 or 5.9% share. Bolstered by the new Prius (+164%), Passo (+143%) and Estima (+196%), Toyota once again frankly outpaces its home market with deliveries up a flamboyant 16% year-on-year – the largest jump in the Top 12 – to 110.270 for a 32.8% market share vs. 30.7% year-to-date. Honda follows but drops 9% ahead of Suzuki (+4%), Daihatsu (+5%) and Nissan (-8%). Mazda (-14%) and Mitsubishi (-20%) struggle, the latter being the object of yet another stop sale following new erroneous fuel economy claims.

BMW X1 Japan August 2016. Picture courtesy autoc-one.jpBoth Mercedes and BMW now outsell Volkswagen in Japan. 

Among foreign manufacturers, Mercedes is once again the only one to crack the Top 10 thanks to sales up 5% to 4.805. BMW surges 16% to 3.374 to overtake Volkswagen, freefalling again at -33% to 2.908 registrations. Audi (-7%) is also struggling. Mini (+21%), Volvo (+14%), Jeep (+55%), Smart (+5840%), Jaguar (+32%), Abarth (+82%) and Citroen (+54%) all post spectacular gains.

Nissan Serena Japan August 2016. Picture courtesy autoc-one.jpThe new generation lifts the Nissan Serena back up to #11. 

The Toyota Prius comfortably holds onto its best-selling car crown with sales up 164% year-on-year to 17.503 thanks to the new generation. It distances the Toyota Aqua (-9%), Sienta (+23%), Honda Fit (+4%) and Toyota Passo (+143%), the latter also boosted by a new model. The Nissan Serena is almost back inside the Top 10 (#11) now that the new generation has become widely available. The Toyota Estima (+196%), Mazda Axela (+144%), Honda Odyssey (+112%) and Subaru Forester (+37%) are the other great gainers within the Top 30, all helped by a facelift. In the kei car aisle, the Honda N-BOX (+28%) and Daihatsu Tanto (+5%) cement their domination with positive results, distancing the Nissan Dayz (-21%) and Suzuki Alto (-16%) while the Suzuki Spacia (+32%) and Hustler (+8%) shine just below.

Previous month: Japan July 2016: Toyota up to 35.2% share, Nissan Dayz and Mitsubishi eK back

One year ago: Japan August 2015: Toyota Sienta improves 8-fold to #2 overall

Full August 2016 Top 55 All-brands, Top 30 cars and Top 34 kei cars below.

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