Japan's July Sellers: Prius And Little Sister Rule The Roost
Hybrids and minivehicles are still on top of Japan’s list of best-selling cars in July, only more. The Prius is ichi ban with 33,398 units sold. Last time we looked in May, it was 20,789. It is followed by its compact sister, the Aqua (better known in the U.S. as Prius C) with 26,274.
Honda’s Fit is back in #3.
Then, a row of five minivehicles follows.
The table was compiled from data provided by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association, the sometimes odd model names were translated with the help of Frau Schmitto-san, and everything was compiled into one table.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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Honda Insight?
It's a very interesting view. It shows just how much more massive Toyota is than the rest of the domestic market, but also shows how Honda has some very specific models which do very well, and then others which are total non-factors. I still cannot understand why the Corolla can sell so well, but Honda killed the Civic in Japan due to a lack of sales. What makes the difference that allows Toyota to relentlessly flog Corollas but left the Civic as unwanted? And long term with the expansion of the Prius range with the Aqua and Prius V, you have to wonder about the future of the Corolla and Camry. For the same money, a customer could be in a much more economical hybrid. I have to wonder how quick the switch over will happen as the older Toyota customers move on. At this point, Toyota's twin image makers for younger buyers seem to be the Prius and 86/FR-S. That's where Toyota's mind seems to be going.