Toyota’s Prius hybrid was Japan’s best-selling vehicle in June with sales of 22,292 units, industry groups said on Monday, as recently introduced government tax breaks and subsidies helped to boost demand for fuel-efficient cars.
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It was the first time Toyota’s hybrid, including both old and new models, had taken top spot, topping even minivehicles with engines of up to 660 cc. Sales were up 257.8% from a year earlier, Kyodo News reported, citing the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.
In the June bestseller list including minicars and imported vehicles, Suzuki’s WagonR minicar came in second with sales of 16,185 units, down 4.9% from a year earlier, according to the Japan Mini Vehicles Association. Daihatsu’s Move and Tanto minicars came in third and fourth with sales of 14,935 units and 13,243 units, respectively.
It is the first time in 18 months that a non-minivehicle had taken the top spot since Honda’s Fit (Jazz) subcompact ranked #1 in December 2007.
Toyota widened the gap with Honda in the hybrid race. The Prius also took fifth place in the first half within less than two months of the new version’s May debut – the old model is sold alongside it only in Japan.
In addition to government tax breaks and subsidies, a JADA official said Toyota’s strength also came from its extensive sales network and higher fuel efficiency.
Honda’s Insight, which hit the Japanese market on 6 February, got the seventh spot in June with sales of 8,782 units and 11th place in the first half of the year with sales of 36,457 units.
During the first six months to the end of June, minicars dominated the top slots with the WagonR ranking first for the sixth straight year, with sales of 111,599 units, down 2.1% from a year earlier. The Move and Tanto came second and third.
The Fit was placed fourth with sales of 65,589 units, down 33.1%.
Toyota’s Vitz (Yaris) and Passo ranked sixth and seventh with sales of 50,451 units, down 26%, and 47,950 units, up 21.2%. The Corolla placed 10th with sales of 44,586 units, down 44.4%.
Nissan Motor dropped out of the top 10 ranking during the six month period while its Serena minivan placed 10th in June with sales of 6,657 units, down 0.9%, Kyodo said.
