Toyota’s Prius hybrid was Japan’s best-selling vehicle in February, leading the passenger car market for the ninth month in a row, despite the carmaker’s global recall woes, industry groups said on Thursday.
Sales of the hybrid hatchback totaled 27,008 units, up 497% year on year, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association told Kyodo News. The new model was launched in Japan last May. Some other media reports suggested Toyota delivered mostly pre-ordered cars last month and that future orders may be affected by the current recall scandal which has also affected the popular hybrid which is being called back for brake software updates.
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Toyota took four of February’s top 10 sales slots for the market including minicars as well as larger cars. The Vitz (Yaris) ranked sixth, the Passo seventh and the Corolla eighth, according to the association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association.
The second best seller in February was Toyota affiliate Daihatsu’s Tant minicar with sales at 20,552 units, followed by 18,517 units for Suzuki’s WagonR minicar.
A Daihatsu vehicle became the top seller among minicars with engine displacement of 660 cc or less for the first time in 15 months, supported by robust sales of the Tant Exe launched last December.
Honda’s Fit (Jazz) took the fourth slot with sales at 13,967 units, followed by 12,855 units for Daihatsu’s Move minicar.
