Japan July 2022: Mitsubishi (+70.4%), Subaru (+34.8%) impress in first single-digit market drop in almost a year (-7.4%)

Sales of Mitsubishi Delica D5 are up 351.4% year-on-year thanks to the new model.

After 10 consecutive months of double-digit year-on-year drops, the Japanese new vehicle market reduces its fall to -7.4% to 349,335 units, its best result since August 2021. The year-to-date tally is now down -14.3% to 2,435,513. Market leader Toyota (-25.4%) vastly underperforms and falls to 28.9% share vs. 30.3% so far this year. Honda (-4%) advances one spot on June to return to the #2 ranking it also holds year-to-date, while Suzuki (+10%) drops one to #3. In fact the entire Top 8 ranking is identical to YTD. Mitsubishi (+70.4%) once again posts the best performance in the Top 10 (and Top 30), followed by Subaru (+34.8%), Mazda (+31.5%) and Nissan (+23.2%) but Isuzu (-38.7%) and Lexus (-23.9%) both freefall. The below picture isn’t great with Renault (+9.6%) and Jeep (+4.4%) the only additional gainers in the Top 20 and BMW (-7.8%) the only single-digit loser. All other brands drop by at least -21%… Among smaller brands, Hyundai (+1425%), Lamborghini (+133.3%) and Ferrari (+49%) shine. Notice also the arrival of Chinese fare BYD at #46 with its first 5 sales in Japan.

The Toyota Yaris/Cross remains the best-selling nameplate in the country.

In the regular cars ranking, the Toyota Yaris/Cross (-19.5%) remains ultra-dominant despite a steep fall, whereas the Toyota Corolla/Cross (+41.2%) and Nissan Note (+25.7%) score stellar year-on-year gains. The Toyota Roomy (-45.1%) freefall at #4 but remains #3 YTD. Great performances by the Honda Fit (+21.9%) and Nissan Serena (+19.3%) just below. The Honda StepWGN (+128.9%) posts the only additional uptick in the remainder of the Top 10 whereas the Toyota Aqua (-34.6%) and Toyota Raize (-18.8%) struggle. Below and in order of sales, the Toyota Noah (+14.7%), Land Cruiser W (+25.2%), the Mazda 2 (+31.9%), Mitsubishi Outlander (+2443.7%), Mazda CX-30 (+94.6%), CX-5 (+53.1%) and Suzuki Swift (+180.8%) make themselves noticed, as well as the Mitsubishi Delica D5 (+351.4%).

The Nissan Sakura continues to gear up.

Over in the kei car aisle, the Honda N-BOX (+0.7%) easily stays in the lead while the Daihatsu Move (-3.4%) advances one spot to #2, toppling the Suzuki Spacia (-22.7%) in difficulty. The Suzuki Wagon R (+139.6%) scores the best performance in the Top 30 but stays at #4 month-on-month. The Daihatsu Tanto (-17.9%) overtakes the Nissan Roox (+60.2%) with the Nissan Dayz (+23.9%) and Suzuki Alto (+19.7%) also in great shape in the remainder of the Top 10. The new Nissan Sakura continues to gear up at #13 (+4) whereas the other recent launch in the charts, the Mitsubishi eK Cross EV, is stuck at #22. 

Previous month: Japan June 2022: Mitsubishi (+52.6%), Mazda (+21.4%) stand out, 10th straight double-digit market drop (-10.8%)

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

Full July 2022 Top 55 all brands, Top 50 regular cars and Top 35 all Kei cars below.