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Automobile industry

Japan's Top Automakers See Double-Digit Sales Growth, Except for Mitsubishi

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Japanese automakers Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, and Honda reported double-digit sales growth in April, while Mitsubishi Motors saw a decline in domestic sales, marking the 16th consecutive monthly decline. Toyota's domestic sales reached a record high for the month of April, with Nissan attributing its growth to the popularity of new models. Honda's sales rose for the first time in four months, driven by strong demand for the Life minivehicle and the Step WGN minivan.

Key Takeaways:

  • Toyota reported a 14.1 percent rise in domestic sales to 127,182 units in April, a record high for the month.
  • Nissan marked a 17.0 percent increase in domestic sales to 54,003 units, driven by new models such as the Fuga luxury sedan, the Tiida, and the Note compact hatchbacks.
  • Mazda saw an 11.6 percent gain in domestic sales to 18,172 units, thanks to robust sales of the Premacy minivan and the Bongo truck.
  • Honda's domestic sales rose 11.3 percent to 52,796 units, its first increase in four months, driven by strong sales of the Life minivehicle and the Step WGN minivan.
  • Mitsubishi Motors recorded a 14.5 percent decline in domestic sales to 13,928 units, marking the 16th consecutive monthly decline, due to defect coverups and recalls.
  • Mitsubishi's sales of passenger cars dropped 19.2 percent, while commercial vehicle sales fell 6.1 percent.
  • Toyota holds a domestic market share of 48.3 percent excluding minivehicles.
  • Nissan attributed its sales growth to the popularity of new models, while Honda and Mazda cited strong demand for specific models.

Statistics:

  • 14.1 percent: Increase in domestic sales at Toyota Motor Corp. in April from the previous year.
  • 17.0 percent: Increase in domestic sales at Nissan Motor Co. in April from the previous year.
  • 11.6 percent: Gain in domestic sales at Mazda Motor Corp. in April from the previous year.
  • 11.3 percent: Increase in domestic sales at Honda Motor Co. in April from the previous year.
  • 14.5 percent: Decline in domestic sales at Mitsubishi Motors Corp. in April from the previous year.
  • 48.3 percent: Toyota's domestic market share excluding minivehicles.
  • 54,003 units: Nissan's domestic sales in April.
  • 127,182 units: Toyota's domestic sales in April.
  • 18,172 units: Mazda's domestic sales in April.
  • 52,796 units: Honda's domestic sales in April.
  • 13,928 units: Mitsubishi's domestic sales in April.

Sources:

  • Kyodo News International, "Japan's top automakers see double-digit sales growth, except for Mitsubishi", May 25
  • Toyota Motor Corp., press release, April sales data
  • Nissan Motor Co., press release, April sales data
  • Mazda Motor Corp., press release, April sales data
  • Honda Motor Co., press release, April sales data
  • Mitsubishi Motors Corp., press release, April sales data

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