Japan October 2024: Toyota Raize up 81.7%, Suzuki Fronx lands

The Suzuki Fronx has landed in the Japanese market.

402,310 new vehicles hit Japanese roads in October, a shy +1.2% year-on-year uptick. The year-to-date volume remains in frank negative however at -7.6% to 3,702,179. Brand leaders Toyota (+8%) and Suzuki (+11%) both outpace the market, with the former hitting 34% share, its highest since June 2023 when it also held 34%. Daihatsu (-13.9%), Honda (-7.7%), Nissan (-1%) and Mazda (-0.7%) can’t capitalise on the positive market. Isuzu (+29%) and Mitsubishi (+4.5%) are the only additional gainers in the Top 10. Below, Hino (+80.7%), Porsche (+66.7%), Mini (+53.4%) and Jeep (+32.5%) stand out.

Over in the regular cars ranking, the Toyota Yaris/Cross (+5.7%) and Corolla/Cross (+25.8%) stay ahead and Toyota monopolises the Top 6 with the Roomy (+16.7%), Raize (+81.7%), Prius (+6.5%) and Sienta (-14.1%) in tow. The Honda Freed (+60.2%), Toyota Alphard (+31.2%) and Nissan Note (+12.8%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10. Below, notice the Mazda3 (+104.8%), Subaru Levorg (+96.6%), Toyota Crown (+87.3%), Daihatsu Rocky (+59.6%) and Toyota Land Cruiser W (+56%). The Suzuki Fronx lands directly at #29. Among other recent launches, the Honda WR-V is up one spot on last month to #20, the Mazda CX-80 up 8 to #35 and the Lexus LBX down two to #38.

Looking at the kei car charts, the Honda N-BOX (-26.7%) craters while the Suzuki Spacia (+50.8%) is catching up. Disappointing scores for the Daihatsu Tanto (-32.8%) and Suzuki Hustler (-13.3%). The Daihatsu Taft (+4.6%) is up to #5 vs. #12 year-to-date and the Daihatsu Move (-34.2%) rallies back up to #8 vs. #14 so far this year, this despite a daunting year-on-year loss. The Nissan Dayz (+131%), Daihatsu Copen (+52.1%) and Suzuki Every Wagon (+38.6%) impress.

Previous month: Japan September 2024: Mercedes G Class up to #2 foreign model, Honda N-Box #1 overall

One year ago: Japan October 2023: Toyota monopolises Top 7 regular cars for 2nd time in 3 months

Full October 2024 Top 50 All brands, Top 50 regular cars and Top 31 All kei cars below.