Japan June 2011: Recovery in sight, Nissan March #5

Nissan March

Japanese car sales are down ‘only’ 23% this month at 225,024 units, compared to -38% in May and -51% in April. In June, an average 10,228 cars were registered per day, up from 7,482 in May and 5,441 in April. Nissan even showed a 4% increase year-on-year while Toyota and Honda each still dropped by more than 30%.

The Toyota Prius reclaims the Japanese leadership with 19,429 sales, only its second time at #1 this year after February, and still #2 year-to-date at 83,319 units (-51%) behind the Honda Fit at 88,282 sales, down 2%. The Toyota Vitz new generation stays solid in 3rd place with 12,356 units, up 6% year-on-year.

The Nissan March reaches an excellent 5th place with 6,493 sales, up a whopping 106% year-on-year. This could be its best performance in nearly a decade. Being produced in Thailand, the March is by far the best-selling ‘import’ in Japan.

Nissan Lafesta

Two other Nissans shine this month: the Juke in a solid 15th position with 3,400 sales just one year after its launch, and the Lafesta up a massive 178% in 20th place thanks to the new generation pictured above.

Previous month: see the May 2011 Top 30 here.

Full June 2011 Top 30 Ranking Table below.