Japan Kei cars July 2014: Suzuki Hustler breaks records

Suzuki Hustler

* See the Top 35 models and Top 8 brands by clicking on the title! Thanks Stephen *

For the first time in 13 months, sales of new Kei cars in Japan are down year-on-year in July at -7% to 174,374 units, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,409,578 units, up 12% on 2013. Complete reshuffle in the models ranking: below the Daihatsu Tanto regular in first place at 17,044 sales (+59%), the Nissan Dayz is back up 3 spots on June to reclaim the 2nd position it holds year-to-date at 14,832 units, just above the Honda N-BOX at 14,633 (-26%). But the big event is the super-cute Suzuki Hustler shooting up 6 ranks to a best-ever #4 spots, smashing its monthly volume record to 14,006 units, in effect also its first time above 10,000 sales. This performance helps Suzuki stay above Daihatsu for the Kei car brand crown this month. The Honda N-WGN follows at #5 while the Suzuki Wagon R tumbles down 31% to #6. Among other newcomers, the Daihatsu Copen is up one spot to #15 and the Mazda Flair Crossover up 7 to #19.

Previous month: Japan Kei cars June 2014: Daihatsu Tanto leads, Copen returns

One year ago: Japan Kei cars July 2013: Nissan Dayz almost reaches 14,000 sales

Full July 2014 Top 35 models and Top 8 brands Ranking Tables below.