Japan July 2017: Nissan Note reclaims top spot, Toyota C-HR down

The Nissan Note is the best-selling regular car in Japan in July.

* See the Top 52 All-brands, Top 30 cars and Top 35 kei cars by clicking on the title *

The Japanese new car market is up 2.9% year-on-year in July to 427.527 registrations, leading to a year-to-date tally up 8.3% to 3.210.088 units. Market leader Toyota drops a worrying 9.2% year-on-year but hits a strong 31.1% share vs. 30.4% year-to-date. Honda (+3.4%) remains in 2nd place while Suzuki (+7.9%) overtakes Daihatsu (+12.1%) to return to the third place it holds year-to-date. Nissan remains 5th in spots of a splendid 27.8% gain, while Subaru (+19.3%), Mitsubishi (+11.2%) and Hino (+15.6%) all post double-digit gains in the Top 10. Struggling Japanese brands include Lexus (-31.4%) and UD Trucks (-16.7%). Mercedes (+0.7%) continues to lead foreign brands followed by BMW (+0.4%), Volkswagen (-16.1%) and Audi (-3.2%). Renault (+88.5%), Citroen (+106.9%) and Maserati (+66.7%) shine among foreigners.

The Honda Fit is boosted up 24% to #4 by its refresh. 

In the regular cars ranking, the Nissan Note (+28%) reclaims the top spot for the first time since last March and only the third time this year, edging past the Toyota Prius (-57%) and Aqua (-24%) both only 400 sales below. Boosted by a recent refresh, the Honda Fit bounces back up 24% and four spots on June to #4, posting its largest monthly volume in over two years. After five consecutive months of five-digit volumes, the Toyota C-HR slumps to 8.069 sales as the honeymoon period ends with novelty-thirsty consumers. It will be interesting to see where the C-HR stabilises, given its main competitor the Honda Vezel is down 19% to just above 5.000 sales this month. The Subaru Impreza (+125%) continues to benefit from the new model, hitting a splendid 7th place, while the Toyota Roomy (#13) and Tank (#14) have stabilised at higher levels than expected. The new generation Toyota Camry makes a rare appearance in the Top 30 at #26 (+644%) and we also welcome back the Mazda CX-3 at #30.

The valiant Honda N-BOX is the best-selling vehicle in Japan in July.

In the kei car aisle, the Honda N-BOX (+11%) remains on top, even managing to snap the title of best-selling vehicle in the country in July thanks to 14.503 units. It distances the Nissan Dayz (+61%), Daihatsu Tanto (-8%) and Daihatsu Mira (+95%) boosted by its facelift. The Suzuki Wagon R (+52%), Daihatsu Move (+37%) and Suzuki Spacia (+21%) also shine while the Subaru Chiffon, the only new nameplate in the past 12 months, is stuck in 20th place.

Previous post: Japan First Half 2017: Toyota C-HR storms into third place, Prius #1

Previous month: Japan June 2017: Toyota Prius, C-HR, Vitze lead in market up 13.4%

One year ago: Japan July 2016: Toyota up to 35.2% share, Nissan Dayz and Mitsubishi eK back

Full July 2017 Top 52 All-brands, Top 30 cars and Top 35 kei cars below.