Japan July 2021: Toyota (+8.1%) defies market down -4.8%

The new generation lifts the Toyota Aqua from #20 in June to #5 in July.

The Japanese new vehicle market drops -4.8% year-on-year in July to 377.448 units, leading to a year-to-date tally up 9.1% to 2.842.034. Toyota (+8.1%) impressively signs the only year-on-year gain in the Top 7, improving to a fantastic 35.8% share vs. 32.4% so far this year. Honda (-0.2%) sees its stability rewarded with a 2nd place, overtaking Daihatsu (-12.3%) and Suzuki (-26.6%). Nissan (-17.8%), Mazda (-16.6%) and Subaru (-15.2%) also fall faster than the market. Isuzu (+2.5%) and Hino (+1.8%) are the only two additional gainers in the Top 10 just as Mitsubishi (-0.3%) manages stable volumes. Just outside the Top 10, Lexus (+65%) and Volkswagen (+20.2%) shine while Mercedes (-9%) is down four spots to #12 and 1.1% share meaning there are no foreign brands in the Top 11. Renault (+68.9%), Citroen (+63.4%), Peugeot (+54.4%) and Audi (+33.7%) also make themselves noticed further down, while among smaller brands (0.1% share and lower) Chevrolet (+286.4%), Alfa Romeo (+193.9%), Ferrari (+112.8%), Porsche (+72.6%), Bentley (+66.7%), Maserati (+61.9%) and Lamborghini (+42.9%) are among the best performers.

In the regular cars ranking, the Toyota Yaris (+65.7%) easily holds onto the top spot in a Top 4 unchanged on June: the Toyota Roomy (+126.8%), Corolla (-15.9%) and Alphard (+6.1%) follow. The new generation lifts the Toyota Aqua (+117%) up 15 spots on last month to #5, its highest ranking since February 2020 when it ranked #5 also. The Honda Vezel (+158%) is up three ranks to #6 and is the only non-Toyota nameplate in the Top 8, followed by the Toyota Raize (-38.7%) and Harrier (-27.8%) both in dire straits. Impressive gainers below include the Lexus IS300H (+2404.3%), Nissan Kicks (+520.2%), Nissan March (+184.3%), Honda Odyssey (+130.4%), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (+123.9%), Subaru Levorg (+97%), Lexus RX300 (+75%), Lexus UX250H (+64.7%), Nissan Leaf (+61%), Toyota Land Cruiser W (+46.7%) and Toyota Crown (+20.7%). In the kei cars charts, the Honda N-BOX (+4.7%) leads the way by over 6.000 units and is the only gainer in the Top 12. It distances the Suzuki Spacia (-17.7%), Daihatsu Move (-10.9%), Tanto (-39.8%) and Mira (-7.3%). The Honda N-ONE (+6643.8%), Suzuki Every Wagon (+14.4%), Toyota Pixis (+7%), Daihatsu Wake (+6.6%) and Mitsubishi eK (+2.1%) score the only additional lifts in the Top 20.

Previous month: Japan June 2021: Toyota Roomy teases Yaris for #1, sales up 5.3%

One year ago: Japan July 2020: Strong kei launches lift Suzuki, Daihatsu in market down another -13.7%

Full July 2021 Top 55 All-brands, Top 50 regular cars and Top 34 kei cars below.