Japan Full Year 2024: Toyota Corolla/Cross edges into #1, sales off -7.5%

Toyota Corolla Cross sales are included in the Corolla total.

Discover 55 years of Japanese Historical Data here.

It’s a difficult year for the Japanese new car market, off -7.5% to 4,421,494 vs. 4,779,086 in 2023. This decline is entirely due to the issues encountered towards the start of the year by two carmakers. Daihatsu was hit by a safety test falsification scandal which paused shipments in late December 2023 and completely shut down production for the entire month of January. Daihatsu sales were down -62.6% in January, -82% in February, -78.1% in March and -67.8% in April and end the year off -38.3% or 228,000 units to 8.3% share vs. 12.4% in 2023. For its part Toyota is down -14.1% or 222,500 sales to 30.7% share vs. 33% a year ago as sales were affected by a test data rigging scandal at an affiliated diesel engine supplier. In contrast Suzuki (+10.9%) advances from 13.6% to 16.3% share in 2nd place ahead of Honda (+12.5%) up from 12.4% to 15.1%. Mitsubishi (+15.2%) and Hino (+10.9%) also impress.

Over in the regular models ranking, the Toyota Corolla/Cross (+7.8%) overtakes the Toyota Yaris/Cross (-14.5%) for the top spot. It is the first time since 2007 that the Corolla nameplate is #1 at home, although it is now helped by the Corolla Cross. The Toyota Sienta (-16.1%) suffers but stays at #3 ahead of the Nissan Note (-0.7%) also seeing its ranking unchanged. The Honda Freed (+10.1%) climbs five spots to #4, distancing a weak Toyota Prius (-15.8%). Excellent scores for the Toyota Alphard (+49.5%) and Honda Vezel (+27.4%) below. The Honda WR-V is the best-selling new launch at #27, with the Lexus LBX, starting in December 2023, is up to #32.

The Honda N-BOX (-10.9%) remains the most popular kei car – and overall vehicle. It has now ranked #1 kei car for the past 10 years in a row (no interruption since 2015). The Suzuki Spacia (+35.5%) lurches ahead to #2, dislodging a freefalling Daihatsu Tanto (-41.2%). The Mitsubishi Delica Mini/eK (+47.9%) Nissan Dayz (+30.4%), Suzuki Hustler (+12.2%) and Suzuki Wagon R (+10.4%) also shine. The Mini lineup (-3.5%) is the most popular foreign “model” again but falls slightly. The Mercedes GLC (+54%) is the performer of the year and climbs 11 spots to #2, toppling a struggling VW Golf (-40.4%). Below, the Audi Q3 (+44%) and Mercedes E-Class (#9) stand out.

Previous year: Japan 2023: Honda N-BOX and Toyota Yaris on top again, Toyota places 8 models in Top 9

2 years ago: Japan 2022: Honda N-BOX and Toyota Yaris best-sellers in market off -5.6%

Full December and Year 2024 Top 60 All brands, Top 50 regular models, Top 37 all kei cars and Top 20 foreign models vs. Full Year 2023 data below.