Japan September 2022: First market lift in 15 months at +24.1%

Toyota Voxy sales are up 174.7% year-on-year in September.

The Japanese new vehicle market manages its first year-on-year since June 2021 this month with a very robust +24.1% to 395,163 units. However keep in mind September 2021 was down -32.2% over the prior year so we’re still evolving at below pre-Covid volumes. The year-to-date tally is now down -10.3% to 3,120,718. Market leader Toyota (+25%) matches the market for a 29.2% share vs. 29.9% so far this year. Suzuki (+45.8%) roars ahead and confirms it is now the #2 brand in the country with 14.8% share while Daihatsu (+55.8%) does even better at #3. In fact the entire Top 11 is unchanged on last month, with Honda (+22.2%) and Nissan (+0.3%) rounding out the Top 5 but underperforming and Subaru (+71.5%), Lexus (+56%) and Mazda (+53.7%) in outstanding shape. Below, Hyundai (+2350%), Cadillac (+51.9%), Porsche (+45.8%), Lamborghini (+39.5%) and Renault (+39%) stand out. BYD sells 12 units this month.

Over in the regular cars ranking, the Toyota Yaris/Cross (+25.9%) remains the undisputed leader and evolves roughly like the market. The Nissan Note (+43.1%) is very solid in 2nd place whereas the Toyota Corolla/Cross (+14.4%) is weak. The next four models all beat the market, with the Toyota Noah (+277.2%), Raize (+185.6%) and Voxy (+174.7%) the most dynamic followed by the Toyota Sienna (+62%). The Toyota Roomy (+86.7%) also performs in the remainder of the Top 10. Below, the Mitsubishi Outlander (+2176.9%), Mazda Roadster (+274.3%), Nissan X-Trail (+226.8%), Mazda CX-5 (+202.2%) and CX-8 (+190.3%) make themselves noticed. The Mazda CX-60 (#46) and Lexus NX350H (#48) are the only recent launches in the Top 50.

First Top 20 finish for the Renault Twingo in the foreign models ranking.

Kei car-wise, the Honda N-BOX (+64.4%) returns to its usual status of best-selling vehicle in the country and vastly outpaces the market, as does the Daihatsu Tanto (+86.4%) in 2nd place. The Tanto now ranks #3 year-to-date. The Daihatsu Move (+94.6%), Mira (+68.8%), Suzuki Alto (+37.8%) and Daihatsu Taft (+36.5%) also make waves in the remainder of the Top 10. Meanwhile the Nissan Roox (-36%) implodes while the Suzuki Hustler (+13.8%) and WagonR (+3.3%) can’t keep up with the market growth rate. The new Nissan Sakura EV slips outside the Top 10 at #11 but delivers a record volume above 4,200 sales.

Looking at Q3 figures for foreign models, the Mini lineup (+3.4%) reclaims the top spot off the Mercedes C-Class while the VW Golf (-27.4%) remains in third place. The VW T-Cross (-5.3%) is up two spots on Q2 to #4 but falls year-on-year, with the Volvo 60-Series (+23.2%) rounding out the Top 5. The VW Polo (-6.5%) is up 13 ranks on Q2 to #6 and the Mercedes GLB (-9.1%) up 6 to #7 but both models flounder year-to-date. The VW T-Roc (-41.2%) and Audi Q3 close the Top 10 above the Jeep Wrangler (-46.5%) and Volvo XC40 (-33.7%) in complete freefall. The BMW X3 (#13), 1 Series (#16) and Mercedes GLE (#17) return inside the Top 20 while the Renault Twingo (#18) posts a very first Top 20 finish at #18.

Previous month: Japan August 2022: Suzuki (+7.1%) up to #2, Mitsubishi (+33%), Mazda (+18.4%) shine in market off -9.3%

One year ago: Japan September 2021: Market stalls -32.2%, Mitsubishi (+23.7%) only gainer in Top 15

Full September 2022 Top 55 all-brands, Top 50 regular cars, Top 35 all-kei cars and Q3 Top 20 foreign models below.