The Honda Fit (Jazz) subcompact took over the title of the nation’s best selling car in 2002, a position held by the Toyota Corolla for 33 straight years, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association said on Thursday, according to a Japan Times report.
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It is the first time a Honda has reached the No. 1 spot in new car sales. The Fit was launched in Japan in June 2001.
Honda saw sales of the Fit more than double from 2001 to 250,790 units in 2002.
Toyota sold 226,222 Corollas, down 4.3% from the previous year.
The Nissan March (Micra) came third with 139,332 units sold, followed by the Toyota Ist at 103,579 and the Toyota Vitz (Yaris) at 100,801.
Last year, Honda and Toyota competed fiercely for the top position, as Toyota released a special edition of the Corolla at a lower price in September.
However, Honda succeeded in attracting more consumers to the Fit, which features a spacious cabin, increased fuel efficiency and a relatively low price, as compact models increased in popularity in recent years, an association official said, according to the Japan Times.
