Japan February 2025: Market bounces back up 18.7%

Daihatsu sales are back up 4-fold in February on devastated year-ago volumes

The Japanese new vehicle market continues to recover from year-ago production disruptions and gains 18.7% to 409,347 sales, leading to a year-to-date volume up 15.6% to 785,605. Daihatsu was the most affected brand at -82% a year ago and as a consequence surges 321.7% this month to 10.1% share. Toyota, also affected last year, bounces back up 31.7% to 31.1% of its home market. Suzuki (+3.2%) and Honda (+0.4%) are a lot more discreet and round out the podium. Nissan (-13.3%) and Mitsubishi (-7.5%) clearly underperform just as Mazda (+27.5%) and Subaru (+45%) impress. As usual there are no manufacturers inside the Top 10 with Mercedes (-14.5%) at #11 but in trouble. Volkswagen (+15.5%) follows ahead of BMW (+52%) in excellent shape. 

In the regular cars ranking, the Toyota Yaris/Cross (+22%) posts a 6th consecutive month at the top, distancing the Toyota Corolla/Cross (-4%). The Toyota Sienta (+22.3%) returns to the third place it held over the Full Year 2024, just as the Honda Freed (+22.9%) climbs three spots on last month to #4. Outstanding performances also by the Toyota Roomy (+659.5%), Raize (+632.1%), Aqua (+90%) and Alphard (+86.8%) as Toyota places 9 models inside the Top 11. The Mazda CX-60 (+227.3%) spectacularly returns inside the Top 50 at #31 and the Nissan Fairlady Z (+373.7%) breaks into it for the first time at #47.

As for kei cars, the Honda N-BOX (+13.8%) holds onto its traditional lead ahead of the Suzuki Spacia (+4.3%). The Daihatsu Tanto (+531.9%), Move (+577.5%), Taft (+470%) and Mira (+202.9%) all logically catch up on lost time but the Suzuki Alto (-0.9%), Hustler (-4.5%), Wagon R (-8.2%) and Nissan Roox (-10.6%) all underperform.

Previous month: Japan January 2025: Sales up 12.4% on low year-ago volumes 

One year ago: Japan February 2024: Daihatsu down -82%, overall sales off -19.2%

Full February 2025 Top 51 All brands, Top 50 regular cars and Top 30 All kei cars below.