Japan August 2021: Toyota (+6%) once again ignores negative market (-2.1%), Aqua up to #3

Toyota Aqua sales are up 147.6% year-on-year thanks to the new generation.

The Japanese new vehicle market edges down -2.1% year-on-year to 319.697 units, leading to a year-to-date volume up 7.9% to 3.161.731. Once again Toyota (+6%) defies the negative context to cement its leadership at 33.8% share vs. 32.5% so far this year. In contrast, Suzuki (-16.7%) struggles but is up two spots on July to #2, distancing Honda (-6.1%) and Daihatsu (-4.7%) also losing more ground than the market. Mitsubishi (+26.9%), Subaru (+7.8%), Hino (+7.2%) and Isuzu (+4.6%) all manage solid upticks in the remainder of the Top 10, whereas Mazda (-25.4%) dives and Nissan (-0.1%) is stable. Mercedes (-6.5%) continues to be the best-selling foreign brand at #11 ahead of Volkswagen (-0.03%), BMW (-5.1%) and Audi (-4.5%). Lexus (+39.1%) signs the largest gain in the Top 20, with Alfa Romeo (+232.2%), Bentley (+137%), Cadillac (+110%), Ferrari (+70.7%), Land Rover (+45.9%), UD Trucks (+34.1%), Fiat (+32.2%) and Renault (+23.4%) among the most impressive further down.

In the regular cars ranking, the Top 4 models sport surreal gains. The Toyota Yaris (+55.8%) confirms it is the favourite (sales include the Yaris Cross) ahead of the Toyota Roomy (+84.2%) like last month. The Toyota Aqua (+147.6%) is lifted two spots on July to #3 by its new generation while the Nissan Note (+55.7%) is up five to #4. The Toyota Corolla (-18.8%), Alphard (-8.7%), Raize (-37%) and Harrier (-20%) slide down as opposed to the Honda Freed (+24.8%) and Vezel (+167.7%). Notice also the Subaru Levorg (+391.9%), Honda Odyssey (+186.3%), Mitsubishi Delica D5 (+129.9%), Nissan Leaf (+119.5%), Toyota Land Cruiser (+112.4%) and Nissan Kicks (+82.7%) scoring fantastic lifts further down.

In the kei cars charts, the Honda N-BOX (-8.9%) remains the dominant force despite a significant year-on-year loss. It actually loses less ground than its two followers the Suzuki Spacia (-12.1%) and Daihatsu Tanto (-10.2%). The Suzuki Hustler (+13.5%) advances two spots on July to #4, distancing the Daihatsu Move (-9.2%), Suzuki Wagon R (-7.6%) and Daihatsu Taft (-7.7%) all receding. Gainers further down include the Honda N-ONE (+6235.3%), Daihatsu Atrai Wagon (+67.7%), Daihatsu Copen (+36.8%), Mitsubishi Town Box (+50%) and Honda S660 (+28.2%).

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

One year ago: Japan August 2020: Suzuki, Mazda, Toyota stand out, sales stuck at -16%

Full August 2021 Top 52 All-brands, Top 50 regular cars and Top 35 All-kei cars below.