Japan March 2026: Toyota RAV4, bZ4X, Nissan Leaf shine

The Toyota RAV4 reaches its best ranking in over 3 years.

In the all important month of March marking the end of the Financial Year and filled with promotions, new vehicle sales in Japan edge down -1.8% year-on-year to 490,640. This means the year-to-date tally is now down -2.5% to 1,253,357. Toyota (-6.4%) suffers and falls to 27.7% share vs. 29.4% so far this year. The Top 7 is unchanged on last month with Suzuki (+0.5%) stable at #2 followed by Honda (-8.2%) in difficulty. Like last month Daihatsu (+24.3%) and Mitsubishi (+30.1%) are in great shape. Nissan (-0.1%) is stable while Mazda (-6.5%) recedes. Below, large YoY increases are rare with BYD up 88.8% to #24, Alfa Romeo up 143.1% to #28, Lamborghini up 62% to #29 and Hyundai up 137.3% to #30. None of these carmakers surpass 0.1% share though.

In regular models ranking, the Toyota Yaris/Cross (-17.4%) remains on top while the Toyota Corolla/Cross (-21.5%) is back above the Toyota Sienta (-7.7%) for 2nd place. The Honda Freed (-1.6%) and Toyota Raize (+43.9%) exchange rankings vs. last month to #4 and #5 respectively. The Honda Vezel (+16.8%) and Toyota Voxy (+16.6%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10. The Toyota RAV4 (+193.4%) is pushed up to #12 thanks to the new generation, the nameplate’s highest ranking since February 2023 (#12 also). The Suzuki Jimny Wagon (+67.8%) also makes itself noticed. The Toyota bZ4X (+9027%) seems to have finally found its groove at home and reaches a record #26, just as the Nissan Leaf (+583.2%) is boosted by the new model to #29, the nameplate’s best ranking since September 2021 (#28).

The new generation Nissan Leaf cracks the Top 30 in March.

As for kei cars, four of them outsell the Toyota Yaris/Cross, reiterating the significant footprint this segment commands. The Honda N-BOX (-9.7%) and Suzuki Spacia (-2.6%) dominate but are both down, whereas the next five models grow by the double digits. The Mitsubishi Delica Mini/eK (+54.1%), Daihatsu Move (+53.4%) and Nissan Roox (+40.8%) are the most dynamic. The Top 12 is identical to the Q1 order. Finally, looking at foreign models, the Mini lineup (-6%) sells over twice as much as the next car, the VW T-Cross (-24.7%). The VW Golf (-49.1%) implodes and rounds out the podium above a surging Mercedes GLB (+29.5%). The Mercedes C-Class (+12.4%) and BMW 2 Series (+6.9%) also progress below, with the Porsche Macan signing its first ever Top 20 finish, landing directly at #12.

Previous month: Japan February 2026: Daihatsu (+18.5%), Mitsubishi (+14.3%) impress

One year ago: Japan March 2025: Sales continue recovery at +10.7%

Full March 2026 Top 50 brands, Top 50 regular models, Top 31 All kei cars and Top 20 foreign models below.