Japan August 2013: Toyota Aqua #1, Honda Freed back up to #7

Honda Freed Hybrid and Freed Spike Hybrid

* See the Top 30 best-selling models and Top 13 local brands by clicking on the title! *

The Japanese new car market slows down its fall in August to -6% year-on-year at 217,411 registrations. After giving up its throne to the Toyota Prius for 3 months this year (from April to June), the Toyota Aqua confirms it is the uncontested leader this month, selling 21,142 units (+10%) vs. 16,759 (-30%) for the Prius. Year-to-date, the Aqua increases its lead to just under 10,000 sales over the Prius at 182,135 vs. 172,961. The Nissan Note remains third at 8,783 units, while the Toyota Corolla jumps up 3 spots on July to #4, passing the Nissan Serena and the Honda Fit whose new generation, on sale in early September, should push it back up right at the top of the ranking in the coming months.

Toyota Corolla (Japan model)

Helped by a facelift and the success of the hybrid variant, the Honda Freed is back up 16 ranks on July to #7 with sales stabilised year-on-year at 5,782 (+3%). The Toyota Crown is down one spot to #9 but still up 182% year-on-year, the Subaru Impreza is up 30% to #11, Subaru Forester up 1608% to #20, the Nissan Juke is back inside the Top 30 at #27 in spite of sales down 20% year-on-year and the Mazda Atenza (aka Mazda6) lodges a 6th consecutive month among Japan’s Top 30 best-sellers at #28, up 1061% on August 2012.

Previous month: Japan July 2013: Toyota Aqua reclaims top spot year-to-date

One year ago: Japan August 2012: Toyota Porte and Spade pop up

Full August 2013 Top 30 models and Top 13 local brands Ranking Tables below.