Japan July 2024: Sales back in positive, Toyota Land Cruiser in Top 10

The Toyota Land Cruiser ranks #9 in Japan in July. Next gen 250 Series pictured.

The Japanese new light vehicle market returns to growth in July and for the first time this year at +6.9% year-on-year to 405,174 units. The year-to-date volume remains battered at -10.5% to 2,532,664. Toyota (+0.1%) is stable with a strong 32.6% share vs. 30.4% so far this year. Honda (+25.5%) shoots up to repeat at #2 vs. #3 year-to-date and #4 over the Full Year 2023. Suzuki (+8.1%) is only 586 units below, distancing Nissan (+3%). Daihatsu (+31.4%) has recovered from its production stop earlier in the year and now fulfils its backorders. Subaru (+23.5%), Mitsubishi (+20.7%) and Isuzu (+14.8%) also impress whereas Mazda (-24.2%) and Lexus (-10.6%) disappoint. Mercedes (+10.2%) is the most popular foreign carmaker at #11.

Looking at the regular car ranking, the Toyota Corolla/Cross (+14.3%) remains in the lead above the Toyota Yaris/Cross (-38.4%) in freefall. The Toyota Sienta (-8.4%) holds onto the third step of the podium ahead of a surging Toyota Roomy (+125.6%). The Nissan Note (+7.7%) is down one spot on last month to complete the Top 5. The Honda Freed (+39.7%) and Toyota Alphard (+166%) both post splendid gains as does the Toyota Land Cruiser (+29.9%) which enters the Top 10 for what is believed to be the first time in the nameplate’s history – a pretty big milestone.

As for kei cars, the Honda N-BOX (-7.9%) stays on top above the Suzuki Spacia (+33.3%), Daihatsu Tanto (+22.6%) and Suzuki Hustler (+22.6%) reproducing the June Top 4. The Nissan Roox (+84%) lodges a fantastic uptick at #5 as does the Daihatsu Taft (+176.8%) at #9, up four spots on last month.

Previous month: Japan June 2024: Toyota (-14.6%), Honda (+37%) on top

One year ago: Japan July 2023: Market up 8.5%, Toyota monopolises Top 6 of regular car ranking

Full July 2024 Top 49 All brands, Top 50 regular cars and Top 35 All kei cars below.