Japan May 2021: Suzuki (+103.6%), Daihatsu (+100.2%) outclass market up 46.3%

Daihatsu Move sales are up 268.6% year-on-year in May.

The Japanese new vehicle market rallies back up 46.3% year-on-year in May to 319.318 units, lifting the year-to-date tally up 12.8% to 2.098.955. Toyota (+31.6%) trails its home market but remains ultra-dominant at 32.9% share vs. 31.6% so far this year. Suzuki (+103.6%) and Daihatsu (+100.2%) both double their sales year-on-year to post the largest gains in the Top 6. Subaru (+134.8%) also impresses in the remainder of the Top 10, with Mitsubishi (+64.6%) the only additional Top 10 brand to eclipse the market growth. Reversely, Honda (+17.5%), Lexus (+19.5%) and Isuzu (+20.3%) markedly underperform. For the 5th month running there are no foreign brands in the Top 10, and among them Audi (+78.3%), Volkswagen (+62.2%), Mercedes (+60.7%) and BMW (+52.8%) stand out atop the charts, with Land Rover (+359.5%), Citroen (+156.8%), Peugeot (+106.2%), Alfa Romeo (+100%), Renault (+99%) and Fiat (+93.6%) even more impressive further down.

In the regular cars charts, the Toyota Yaris (+60.4%) remains unattainable, keep in mind these figures include the Yaris Cross. The Toyota Roomy (+212.3%) continues to outpace the market after the deletion of its twin the Tank, while the Toyota Corolla (+16.2%) underperforms but remains in third place vs. #4 year-to-date. The Harrier (+441.9%) remains well above the previous generation’s scores with the Toyota Raize (-20.8%) ending its honeymoon period and down significantly year-on-year. The Top 5 is 100% Toyota vs. Top 6 last month, as the Nissan Note (+71.8%) climbs one spot on April to #6, toppling the Toyota Alphard (+3.4%). The Toyota RAV4 (+100.8%) also outpaces the market in the remainder of the Top 10, with the Suzuki Solio (+176.6%), Honda Vezel (+147.1%) and Toyota Land Cruiser W (+138.3%) strong below.

Over in the kei cars ranking, the Honda N-BOX (+22%) is a little shy but easily remains in the lead above a surging Suzuki Spacia (+138.6%). The Daihatsu Move (+268.6%), Suzuki Alto (+259.8%) and Daihatsu Tanto (+222.3%) score the largest year-on-year gains in the Top 10, with the Suzuki Hustler (+101.7%) also very solid. The Daihatsu Taft is up one spot on April to #9. Further down, notice the Honda N-ONE (+4528.9%), Subaru Stella (+565.8%), Daihatsu Cast (+396.5%), Mazda Carol (+314.5%) and Honda N-WGN (+255.3%) all posting fantastic year-on-year rises.

Previous month: Japan April 2021: Suzuki, Mitsubishi stand out in market up 29.4%

One year ago: Japan May 2020: Virus stalls sales down -44.9% to lowest since March 2011 earthquake

Full May 2021 Top 57 All-brands, Top 50 regular cars and Top 34 kei cars below.