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

The 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.

Both 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.

The 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.