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Automobile industry

Japan's Top Automakers Post Sales Growth in May

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The country's top five automakers showed a remarkable recovery in May, with scandal-tainted Mitsubishi Motors Corp. marking its first sales increase in 17 months. This significant turnaround was largely attributed to a 2.7% rise in minicar sales. Toyota Motor Corp. maintained its position as the leading car seller in the domestic market, boasting a 45.3% share of the market excluding minicars. Domestic sales rose 4.0% for the second consecutive month of gain, solidifying Toyota's market dominance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mitsubishi Motors Corp. recorded a 0.9% increase in domestic sales to 14,800 units, marking its first sales growth in 17 months.
  • The growth was partly attributed to a 2.7% increase in minicar sales to 10,741 units.
  • Toyota Motor Corp. remained the top car seller in the domestic market, marketing 126,309 units for the reporting month.
  • Toyota's domestic sales rose 4.0% for the second consecutive month of gain, reflecting a 45.3% share of the domestic market excluding minicars.
  • Nissan Motor Co.'s domestic sales surged 14.1% to 58,812 units, driven by strong sales of compact models such as the Tiida and the Note.
  • Honda Motor Co.'s domestic sales grew 9.1% to 54,628 units, with a 23.5% increase in minicar sales to 21,391 units.
  • Mazda Motor Corp. marked an 8.1% increase in domestic sales to 21,406 units, thanks to the popularity of the Premacy minivan and the Bongo Truck.
  • Toyota, Nissan, and Honda reported record-high overseas production for May, with Toyota boosting overseas output by 21.4% and Nissan up 20.2%.

Statistics:

  • Mitsubishi's domestic sales rose 0.9% to 14,800 units, marking its first increase in 17 months.
  • Toyota's domestic sales increased 4.0% to 126,309 units for the second consecutive month of gain.
  • Nissan's domestic sales surged 14.1% to 58,812 units.
  • Honda's domestic sales grew 9.1% to 54,628 units.
  • Mazda's domestic sales increased 8.1% to 21,406 units.
  • Toyota boosted overseas output by 21.4% to 303,356 units.
  • Nissan upped overseas output by 20.2% to 169,699 units.
  • Honda's overseas production grew 15.6% to 182,080 units.
  • Mitsubishi's exports fell 16.1% to an unspecified number.
  • Nissan's exports plummeted 12.5% to 49,726 units.
  • Honda recorded a 14.3% increase in exports to 48,377 units.

Sources:

  • "Japan's top 5 automakers post sales growth in May", Kyodo News International, June 29.
  • "Mitsubishi logs first sales rise in 17 months in Japan in May", Kyodo News International, June 29.
  • "Japan's Toyota Motor says May domestic sales up 4.0 pct", Kyodo News International, June 29.
  • "Japan's Nissan Motor says May domestic sales up 14.1 pct", Kyodo News International, June 29.
  • "Japan's Honda Motor says May domestic sales up 9.1 pct", Kyodo News International, June 29.

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