Japan April 2024: Honda (+37.1%), Mitsubishi (+37.8%) defy market down -11.2%

The Honda Vezel hits its highest ranking in almost 10 years.

New vehicle sales in Japan slow down their fall in April at -11.2% year-on-year to 310,346 units. Sales of regular cars are down -5.7% to 207,536 while kei car registrations plunge another -20.7% to 102,810. The year-to-date volume is now down -16.7% to 1,441,486. Once again sales are pulled down by the safety test falsification scandal at Daihatsu which completely shut down production at the start of the year.  Toyota (-14.7%) suffers but sees its share hit 32.4% vs. 29.6% so far this year. Suzuki (+15.5%) and Honda (+37.1%) defy the market gloom with splendid year-on-year gains. Mitsubishi (+37.8%) also impresses in the remainder of the Top 10 while Isuzu (+3.6%) manages a small lift. Daihatsu (-67.8%) is in freefall again as is Mazda (-31%). Further down the charts, notice Porsche (+75.2%), Alfa Romeo (+65.1%) and Maserati (+55.1%) all in great shape.

In the regular cars ranking, the Toyota Yaris/Cross (-2.7%) reclaims the top spot for the first time this year while the Toyota Corolla/Cross falls to #2 but sports a solid year-on-year gain. The Toyota Sienta (+12.4%), Honda Vezel (+159.4%) and Toyota Alphard (+64.6%) all score fantastic gains to round out the Top 5. It is the highest ranking in almost 10 years (since June 2014) for the Vezel nameplate. All remaining Top 10 members fall by double-digits. Below, the Toyota Vellfire (+8550%), Honda ZR-V (+604.9%) and StepWGN (+114.1%) stand out. 

Looking at kei cars, the Honda N-BOX (-0.3%) is stable while the next six models manage year-on-year gains. The Mitsubishi Delica Mini/eK (+359.2%) is by far the most dynamic, followed by the Suzuki Hustler (+85.3%), Wagon R (+26.3%), Spacia (+25.1%), Nissan Roox (+7%) and Suzuki Alto (+1.8%).

Previous month: Japan March 2024: Toyota, Daihatsu pull market down -21.1%

One year ago: Japan April 2023: New generation lifts Prius to highest in 3.5 years

Full April 2024 Top 52 All brands, Top 50 regular models and Top 34 All kei cars below.