Japan April 2021: Suzuki (+67.8%), Mitsubishi (+82.2%) stand out in market up 29.4%

Suzuki Jimny kei car sales are up 185.3% year-on-year in April. 

The Japanese new vehicle market is up 29.4% year-on-year in April to 349.895 units on weak, Covid-19 impacted year-ago volumes. The year-to-date tally now stands at 1.779.638 units, up 8.4% on the same period in 2020. Brand leader Toyota (+26.7%) can’t quite match the market growth rate but sits at 34.2% share for the month, well above its year-to-date level of 31.4%. Suzuki (+67.8%) surges in 2nd place and 15.3% share vs. 14.5% so far this year, with Daihatsu (+32.2%) climbing onto the podium thanks to strong gains, knocking Honda (+6.3%) down to #4. Mitsubishi (+82.2%), Lexus (+37.5%), Nissan (+35%) and Subaru (+34.2%) also outpace the market in the remainder of a Top 10 entirely composed of local brands. Among foreigners, Mercedes (+40.4%) leads the way ahead of BMW (+33.8%), both growing faster than the market. Further down, notice Land Rover (+143.7%), Alfa Romeo (+122.4%), Peugeot (+162.7%), Fiat (+111.4%), Audi (+111.1%), DS (+96.7%) and Renault (+80.3%) all posting fantastic year-on-year upticks.

In the regular cars ranking, Toyota monopolises the Top 6 with 5 models beating the market. The Toyota Yaris (+97.4%) celebrates 10 consecutive months in pole position – note Yaris sales include the Yaris Cross. In 2nd place, the Toyota Roomy (+138.3%) is getting more than just a boost triggered by the deletion of its twin the Tank and confirms the 2nd place it also holds year-to-date. The Toyota Corolla (+19.4%) and Raize (+40.9%) are both back up two spots on last month to #3 and #4 respectively, ahead of the Toyota Alphard (+32%) and Harrier (+364.5%). The Suzuki Solio (+105.8%) and Nissan Note (+50.8%) also impress in the remainder of the Top 10.

Over in the kei cars ranking, the Honda N-BOX (+19.2%) easily remains in the lead above the Suzuki Spacia (+68.1%) while the Daihatsu Move (+41.8%) is up two spots on last month to land on the third step of the podium. Meanwhile the Daihatsu Tanto (+14.2%) is knocked down to #4. The Nissan Roox (+97.9%), Suzuki Hustler (+59.2%) and Alto (+57%) also score fantastic gains below just as the Daihatsu Taft slides back into the Top 10 at #10. Further down, the Honda N-ONE (+3669.7%), Suzuki Jimny (+185.3%) and Every Wagon (+124.4%) stand out.

Previous month: Japan March 2021: Nissan, Peugeot, Jeep headline market up 5.4%

One year ago: Japan April 2020: Toyota Yaris scores first win in 14 years in market caught up by Covid-19 at -28.6%

Full April 2021 Top 50 All-brands, Top 50 regular cars and Top 34 kei cars below.