The Mercedes G-Class is the 2nd best-selling foreign model in Japan over Q3.

The Japanese new vehicle market stabilises in September at +0.3% too 438,733 sales. The year-to-date tally remains in frank negative meanwhile at -8.5% to 3,299,869 units. Local behemoth Toyota (-6.9%) underperforms but still manages a strong 28.9% share vs. 30.3% year-to-date. Honda (+25.5%) overtakes Suzuki (+5.2%) to 2nd place overall with 15.5% share while Nissan (+4.5%) passes a still battered Daihatsu (-17.4%) to #4. The next 12 carmakers are identical to August, with Hino (+30.4%) the best performer ahead of Isuzu (+19.4%), Subaru (+11.5%), Mercedes (+11.3%), Lexus (+4.4%) and Mitsubishi (+1.1%). In contrast Volkswagen (-61.3%). Mini (-20.6%) and Mitsubishi Fuso (-18.7%) all get hit hard. Further down, Porsche (+47.3%), Fiat (+31%), UD Trucks (+18.7%) and Volvo (+11.2%) stand out but all hold 0.3% share or less.

Over in the regular car ranking, the Toyota Yaris/Cross (-22.3%) is back in charge for the first time since last May and despite a hefty year-on-year loss. The Toyota Corolla/Cross (-1.1%) falls to #2 ahead of a resurgent Nissan Note (+5.7%). The Toyota Roomy (-2.1%) and Sienta (-13.6%) close out the Top 5 in lukewarm fashion. In contrast the Honda Freed (+53.2%), Toyota Raize (+54.3%) and Honda Fit (+42.9%) all lodge sensational gains. Below, notice the Toyota Crown (+116.9%), Mazda CX-30 (+267.3%), Mazda Roadster (+192.4%) and Toyota 86 (+129.6%).

Looking at kei cars, the Honda N-BOX (+20.6%) is by far the best-selling vehicle in the country overall with almost 25,000 sales for the month. The Suzuki Spacia (+35.3%) is also in excellent shape at #2, followed by two struggling models: the Daihatsu Tanto (-19.5%) and Suzuki Hustler (-10.9%). The Nissan Roox (+18%), Suzuki WagonR (+12.9%), Mitsubishi Delica Mini (+13.5%) and Nissan Dayz (+16.3%) also impress.

As for foreign models, over Q3 the Mini lineup (+3%) comfortably holds onto the lead but the surprise comes from the Mercedes G Class (+73.3%) soaring from #20 in Q2 to a record 2nd place now. The Mercedes GLC is knocked down to #3 above the BMW X1 (+39.5%) and 3 Series (+5.4%). The Mercedes GLB (+14.6%) and Audi Q3 (+96.3%) also shine whereas the VW Golf (-68.2%) sinks to #12.

Previous month: Japan August 2024: Honda (+13.1%), Subaru (+18.8%), Mitsubishi (+22.1%) defy negative market

One year ago: Japan September 2023: VW T-Roc up to #3 foreigner, market up 10.7%

Full September 2024 Top 49 All brands, Top 50 regular cars, Top 31 All kei cars and Q3 2024 Top 20 foreign models below.

Japan September 2024 – brands:

PosBrandSep-24%/23Aug2024%/23PosFY231Toyota126,62728.9%– 6.9%1998,33930.3%– 17.4%112Honda67,98515.5%+ 25.5%3515,42515.6%+ 21.5%343Suzuki64,81914.8%+ 5.2%2548,12116.6%+ 11.0%224Nissan49,12211.2%+ 4.5%5370,34011.2%– 0.5%455Daihatsu46,06310.5%– 17.4%4245,6867.4%– 44.4%536Mazda13,5773.1%+ 12.5%6103,6453.1%– 25.5%667Mitsubishi11,8172.7%+ 1.1%788,3202.7%+ 15.6%788Subaru10,7932.5%+ 11.5%877,6012.4%+ 4.0%879Lexus8,5351.9%+ 4.4%968,8572.1%– 8.9%9910Isuzu7,9211.8%+ 19.4%1049,7181.5%– 2.4%101011Mercedes5,6371.3%+ 11.3%1139,7761.2%+ 5.7%111112Hino4,1110.9%+ 30.4%1231,5821.0%+ 4.2%121213BMW3,7040.8%– 3.6%1325,1370.8%– 0.4%141414Mitsubishi Fuso2,8930.7%– 18.7%1425,1910.8%– 8.5%131315Audi2,1960.5%– 9.5%1517,0780.5%– 5.5%161616Mini1,8720.4%– 20.6%1610,8760.3%– 17.1%171717Volkswagen1,6160.4%– 61.3%1717,4100.5%– 24.1%151518Porsche1,4260.3%+ 47.3%227,3640.2%+ 17.8%192319Volvo1,4030.3%+ 11.2%199,7910.3%– 13.3%181820UD Trucks1,1190.3%+ 18.7%187,3430.2%– 4.7%202021Jeep1,0530.2%– 12.4%217,0760.2%– 21.8%211922Land Rover7730.2%– 16.4%206,1600.2%– 7.2%222123Fiat6090.1%+ 31.0%253,5070.1%+ 0.9%252624Peugeot4470.1%– 44.6%233,9040.1%– 38.1%242225Renault3520.1%– 55.8%263,9190.1%– 30.9%232426BYD2710.1%+ 43.4%241,8620.1%+ 99.6%272927Citroen2480.1%– 51.3%272,1530.1%– 48.1%262528Abarth2090.0%+ 69.9%281,4500.0%+ 36.7%283029Ferrari1150.0%– 12.9%291,0770.0%+ 0.6%293130Maserati1150.0%– 51.9%309220.0%– 20.4%302731Alfa Romeo970.0%– 40.9%317690.0%– 42.9%312832Lamborghini930.0%+ 6.9%395720.0%+ 34.3%323633Chevrolet680.0%– 24.4%424620.0%– 26.3%353334Cadillac620.0%+ 40.9%443400.0%– 24.3%403735Hyundai580.0%+ 61.1%324920.0%+ 64.0%333836Jaguar490.0%– 21.0%354700.0%– 11.8%343537Scania490.0%– 2.0%343470.0%+ 20.1%394038Aston Martin450.0%+ 50.0%363920.0%+ 21.4%373939DS420.0%– 44.7%383640.0%– 52.4%383240Bentley380.0%– 39.7%334130.0%– 12.3%363441Lotus350.0%– 30.0%372370.0%+ 119.4%434542Alpina330.0%+ 50.0%413000.0%+ 37.0%414143Rolls-Royce290.0%+ 123.1%402740.0%+ 71.3%424344McLaren280.0%+ 154.5%431960.0%+ 55.6%444645Ford170.0%– 46.9%451550.0%– 36.5%454246Dodge50.0%– 78.3%46900.0%– 49.2%464447GMC40.0%+ 400.0%47180.0%– 10.0%474748Morgan30.0%n/a48140.0%– 26.3%484849Bugatti10.0%n/a  –10.0%+ 0.0%5657  –Others 5490.1%– 12.3%  –4,2700.1%+ 4.3%  – –

Japan September 2024 – regular models:

PosModelSep-24/23Aug2024/23PosFY231Toyota Yaris/Cross13,047– 22.3%3115,280– 21.7%212Toyota Corolla/Cross12,822– 1.1%1123,186+ 4.1%123Nissan Note10,831+ 5.7%679,582– 4.0%444Toyota Roomy10,495– 2.1%447,812– 31.4%1455Toyota Sienta10,033– 13.6%286,150– 14.8%336Honda Freed8,943+ 53.2%562,804+ 4.7%5107Toyota Raize8,680+ 54.3%1031,106– 35.2%21138Nissan Serena8,270– 0.8%762,149+ 9.7%6119Toyota Prius7,771– 17.9%857,516– 23.1%8610Honda Fit6,677+ 42.9%1649,635+ 13.4%131511Toyota Voxy6,657– 13.2%1353,072– 25.8%10812Toyota Noah6,401– 25.4%1552,940– 30.3%11713Toyota Aqua5,984– 0.4%1245,145– 29.0%17914Toyota Crown5,897+ 116.9%1746,865+ 49.0%152015Honda Vezel5,833+ 6.3%1860,084+ 67.9%71416Toyota Land Cruiser W5,779+ 28.5%1135,045– 22.8%191617Toyota Harrier5,354+ 2.2%1451,570– 12.8%121218Toyota Alphard4,908– 15.1%956,336+ 47.1%91719Suzuki Solio4,590+ 9.2%1941,617+ 10.6%181820Honda StepWGN3,626– 32.5%2145,736+ 54.5%161921Honda WR-V3,545new2320,082new27 –22Toyota RAV43,471+ 39.7%2225,923– 25.1%232123Honda ZR-V3,381+ 39.9%2034,655+ 238.3%20n/a24Subaru Impreza3,269– 8.2%2723,393+ 9.6%262225Suzuki Swift2,961+ 31.0%2626,389+ 28.9%222526Nissan X-Trail2,760+ 44.9%2825,852+ 25.7%242427Subaru Forester2,606+ 23.2%2516,318– 2.4%313028Mazda22,360+ 52.3%2916,019– 0.7%323129Mazda CX-52,260+ 51.7%3014,543– 24.5%332830Toyota Vellfire2,214– 8.9%2424,928#VALUE!25n/a31Lexus NX350H2,171– 8.8%3312,122– 48.9%352332Suzuki Jimny Wagon2,144– 7.7%3219,373– 3.7%282633Subaru Levorg2,117+ 84.9%3519,141+ 79.7%293634Mitsubishi Delica D52,097+ 17.0%3414,182+ 3.9%343335Honda Civic2,047+ 20.5%4111,986+ 20.3%364136Lexus LBX1,958new3116,560new30n/a37Daihatsu Rocky1,731+ 5.7%38n/an/an/a3738Mazda CX-301,473+ 267.3%3610,656– 20.0%383239Nissan Kicks1,341– 24.4%4211,762+ 5.1%373540Daihatsu Thor1,176+ 4.4%43n/an/an/a4341Honda Odyssey1,041n/a399,567+ 635.4%39n/a42Suzuki Xbee1,026– 24.6%409,454– 4.2%404043Mazda CX-801,021newn/an/anewn/a –44Mazda MX-5 (Roadster)994+ 192.4%378,143n/an/an/a45Toyota 86932+ 129.6%446,886– 15.3%n/a4646Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross785+ 2.9%465,726– 15.8%n/a5047Toyota JPN Taxi698+ 44.5%475,001+ 188.1%n/an/a48Mazda3647– 33.2%n/a7,536– 32.9%n/a3849Lexus LM500H632new48n/anewn/an/a50Lexus RX500H598– 7.6%n/an/an/an/a47

Japan September 2024 – kei cars:

PosModelSep-24/23Aug2024/23PosFY231Honda N-BOX24,953+ 20.6%1156,574– 6.6%112Suzuki Spacia15,823+ 35.3%2124,430+ 37.7%233Daihatsu Tanto11,699– 19.5%361,971– 46.5%524Suzuki Hustler8,033– 10.9%470,889+ 20.9%355Nissan Roox7,444+ 18.0%655,269+ 4.5%676Suzuki WagonR7,192+ 12.9%562,301+ 11.2%467Daihatsu Taft5,997– 7.0%923,835– 41.8%13108Mitsubishi Delica Mini/eK5,992+ 13.5%1046,214+ 74.3%8119Suzuki Alto5,985– 5.1%753,020– 0.6%7810Nissan Dayz5,173+ 16.3%1140,182+ 31.1%91311Daihatsu Mira4,952– 13.7%1230,248– 35.2%11912Daihatsu Move3,845– 54.3%822,439– 73.4%14413Suzuki Jimny3,775+ 7.4%1330,778+ 2.9%101214Honda N-WGN3,076– 16.7%1425,602– 9.5%121415Nissan Sakura2,485– 34.6%1618,266– 37.0%151516Suzuki Every Wagon1,704+ 19.1%1514,152+ 1.2%161717Honda N-ONE1,654– 16.3%1713,626– 7.6%171618Mazda Flair Wagon1,548+ 29.4%1811,898+ 27.4%181819Toyota Pixis771– 6.9%194,604– 44.9%211920Nissan NV100 Clipper Rio731+ 42.2%214,659+ 11.8%202321Mazda Flair Crossover677+ 16.5%205,448+ 14.9%192222Subaru Chiffon458– 13.1%232,385– 29.9%242523Daihatsu Copen424+ 9.6%221,864– 49.8%262624Mazda Carol343– 19.5%243,069– 19.8%222425Mazda Flair  342– 23.7%262,642– 19.9%232726Mitsubishi eK Cross EV225– 40.0%271,880– 69.3%252127Subaru Pleo221– 11.6%251,502– 11.4%272828Toyota Copen GR Sport147– 2.0%28642– 46.9%293029Mazda Scrum Wagon91– 15.7%29896– 4.8%283130Mitsubishi Town Box43– 18.9%30371– 7.5%303231Toyota C+POD8– 65.2%31217+ 0.0%3133

Japan Q3 2024 – foreign models:

PosModelQ3 2024/23Q22024/23PosFY231Mini4,355+ 3.0%110,876– 17.1%112Mercedes G-Class2,287+ 73.3%204,291+ 6.7%8113Mercedes GLC1,885n/a25,437#VALUE!3134BMW X11,641+ 39.5%n/an/an/an/a155BMW 3 Series1,597+ 5.4%44,487– 1.4%666Mercedes GLB1,516+ 14.6%54,854+ 21.9%487Audi Q31,478+ 96.3%64,364+ 59.2%7198Mercedes C-Class1,416– 32.3%74,536– 38.9%539Mercedes E-Class1,342n/a83,851#VALUE!10n/a10Volvo S/V/XC601,261– 6.9%103,860– 20.4%9711Volvo XC401,063– 23.5%172,957– 36.3%n/a1012VW Golf1,058– 68.2%35,708– 20.6%2213Mercedes GLA1,004– 17.6%133,078+ 2.1%121714VW T-Roc963– 62.4%93,590– 29.9%11415Porsche 911815n/an/an/an/an/an/a16Land Rover Defender 110785– 32.3%n/a2,718– 9.5%n/a1817BMW X2780n/an/an/an/an/an/a18Audi A4737n/an/an/an/an/an/a19Fiat 500725n/an/an/an/an/an/a20Audi Q5725n/an/an/an/an/an/a

Sources: JADA, JMVA, JAIA