Despite imminent replacement, the Toyota Corolla was the best-selling vehicle between January and June this year in Japan with sales of 70,675 units, down 11.7% from the same period a year ago, an industry group said on Thursday.
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The model came on top of the rankings for four straight six-month periods, attesting to its persistent popularity ever since its full redesign in August 2000, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association told Kyodo News.
Second was the relatively new Toyota Vitz (Yaris abroad) with sales of 59,718 units, down 19.7%.
Finishing third was Honda’s Fit (Jazz in most overseas markets) that sold 54,121 units, down 20.5%.
Of the top 10 selling models, Toyota brand models made up seven with the remainder accounted for by the Honda Fit and Step WGN and Nissan’s Serena. It is the first time since 1994 that as many as seven Toyota cars have made the top 10 list for a six-month period.
No vehicles built by Mitsubishi Motors ranked among the top 30 for two six-month periods as the company is still in the midst of major restructuring.
Among minicars, Suzuki’s Wagon R ranked top by selling 121,402 units, according to minicar makers.
