|
|
|
|
 |
danielgr
 |
|
Well, there you go for a strong feet on recovery.
Having lost 3 positions in the 2011 sales charts due to the massive impact of both JP tsunami/quake & Thailand floods on its operations, numbers have sky-rocketed, reached pre-Lehmann crisis levels and retaking second spot on the overall sales chart for the first time in a few years.
Now, that was clearly helped by doubling 660cc minicar sales thanks to the successful introduction of the N-Box, but sales of small cars were also +61%, and large cars +40%.
Here is the top 5 models in January, with the first 3 remaining unchanged since December, and the successful entry of the "Aqua" (aka Prius C), which still lags behind the Fit, but to its favor one has to notice it's offered with a single engine & chasis option while the Fit is a small lineup by itself.
1) Toyota Prius : 29,108 (+112.3%)
2) Honda Fit : 21,449 (+44.2%)
3) Honda Freed : 14,042 (+166.2%)
4) Toyota Aqua : 13,495 (new)
5) Nissan Serena : 8,283 (+130%)
Note: Those percentages increases are correct, 4 of these cars more than doubled their Jan2011 figures.
Of notice that the top4 is made by either hybrid-only cars (Prius/Aqua) or cars available with an hybrid version that represents at least 50% of sales numbers (Fit and Freed). The number 5 (Serena) is the most efficient (at least on paper) 8 seater minivan in JP (2.0L engine + CVT + idleStop).
Last edited by JeffX on 08-13-2012 23:49
|
Nick GravesX
|
|
That's quite an achievement.
Interesting the hybrid take-up in Japan and it makes Honda's bullish predictions more understandable.
JDM has always been mysterious/fascinating to me!
|
danielgr
|
|
And the trend from past month continues into February, with Honda posting their 2nd best month in the past 3 years and holding strong into its just regained 2nd spot.
Year to date Nissan seems to have regained n3 spot back from Daihatsu for the time being:
And here is how the top5 models list looks like:
1) Toyota Prius : 35,875 (+87.7%)
2) Honda Fit : 24,973 (+48.0%)
3) Toyota Aqua : 21,951 (new)
4) Honda Freed : 13,293 (+89.0%)
5) Toyota Vitz : 11,288 (-31.5%)
As you can see Toyota is clearly adding production behind their Aqua push and is now closing on the ageing Fit. That said, Honda's Fit and Freed sales are higher than ever, and with highest in years production & combined sales+exports figures, it seems they simply can't make more of those right now.
|
WongKN
|
|
|
Thanks for posting all these updates. I attended the annual media appreciation event last Friday and according to Honda Malaysia, all countries in ASEAN will resume normal production levels by next month (April 2012). The only issue for Honda Malaysia is that they have accumulated a big backlog over the past few months and waiting time (i.e. delivery lag) is more than 3 months by now. I expect the same is true for all other countries in ASEAN.
|
danielgr
|
|
WongKN wrote:
Thanks for posting all these updates. I attended the annual media appreciation event last Friday and according to Honda Malaysia, all countries in ASEAN will resume normal production levels by next month (April 2012). The only issue for Honda Malaysia is that they have accumulated a big backlog over the past few months and waiting time (i.e. delivery lag) is more than 3 months by now. I expect the same is true for all other countries in ASEAN.
|
Well, Honda said in a while that Thailand factory would be back online by the end of March, so I guess the info you got at the meeting confirms they'll be on time.
Personally, I won't be surprised if several all time production records start falling through the year...
In Japan the next "big thing" is going to be the MMC StepWGN coming next month, which will get auto idle-stop for the first time (enough to set it ahead of the Serena and claim class leading FE) and aim to regain it's segment-leader crown.
|
Midi_Amp
|
|
danielgr wrote:
WongKN wrote:
Thanks for posting all these updates. I attended the annual media appreciation event last Friday and according to Honda Malaysia, all countries in ASEAN will resume normal production levels by next month (April 2012). The only issue for Honda Malaysia is that they have accumulated a big backlog over the past few months and waiting time (i.e. delivery lag) is more than 3 months by now. I expect the same is true for all other countries in ASEAN.
|
Well, Honda said in a while that Thailand factory would be back online by the end of March, so I guess the info you got at the meeting confirms they'll be on time.
Personally, I won't be surprised if several all time production records start falling through the year...
In Japan the next "big thing" is going to be the MMC StepWGN coming next month, which will get auto idle-stop for the first time (enough to set it ahead of the Serena and claim class leading FE) and aim to regain it's segment-leader crown.
|
Didn't know the StepWGN will be getting a stop start engine tech on its mid cycle change. But how intricate a start stop tech is? How does the A/C works when the engine shuts off? And how come Honda able to add such system to the existing R20? Is the mid cycle change StepWGN will use ED tech O.O
I'm all for new tech and everything, but if it comes at the sake of just because, hell, just leave them be. The direct injection K20 on the Stream is prove just how poor Honda at following the trend. Wanted to put RDX K23T together with the K20i, but I'm fairly certain it just need better electronic management and a proper lighter car so it doesn't run on boost all the time.
|
Midi_Amp
|
|
danielgr wrote:
And the trend from past month continues into February, with Honda posting their 2nd best month in the past 3 years and holding strong into its just regained 2nd spot.
Year to date Nissan seems to have regained n3 spot back from Daihatsu for the time being:
And here is how the top5 models list looks like:
1) Toyota Prius : 35,875 (+87.7%)
2) Honda Fit : 24,973 (+48.0%)
3) Toyota Aqua : 21,951 (new)
4) Honda Freed : 13,293 (+89.0%)
5) Toyota Vitz : 11,288 (-31.5%)
As you can see Toyota is clearly adding production behind their Aqua push and is now closing on the ageing Fit. That said, Honda's Fit and Freed sales are higher than ever, and with highest in years production & combined sales+exports figures, it seems they simply can't make more of those right now.
|
What the duck with Lexus numbers? I honestly thought Toyota is enjoying quite the sellout with Lexus back on home turf. I bitch a lot when Honda cancels Acura plan in Japan, but seeing the numbers kind of makes me glad Honda took the right step.
|
danielgr
|
|
Midi_Amp wrote:
danielgr wrote:
WongKN wrote:
Thanks for posting all these updates. I attended the annual media appreciation event last Friday and according to Honda Malaysia, all countries in ASEAN will resume normal production levels by next month (April 2012). The only issue for Honda Malaysia is that they have accumulated a big backlog over the past few months and waiting time (i.e. delivery lag) is more than 3 months by now. I expect the same is true for all other countries in ASEAN.
|
Well, Honda said in a while that Thailand factory would be back online by the end of March, so I guess the info you got at the meeting confirms they'll be on time.
Personally, I won't be surprised if several all time production records start falling through the year...
In Japan the next "big thing" is going to be the MMC StepWGN coming next month, which will get auto idle-stop for the first time (enough to set it ahead of the Serena and claim class leading FE) and aim to regain it's segment-leader crown.
|
Didn't know the StepWGN will be getting a stop start engine tech on its mid cycle change. But how intricate a start stop tech is? How does the A/C works when the engine shuts off? And how come Honda able to add such system to the existing R20? Is the mid cycle change StepWGN will use ED tech O.O
I'm all for new tech and everything, but if it comes at the sake of just because, hell, just leave them be. The direct injection K20 on the Stream is prove just how poor Honda at following the trend. Wanted to put RDX K23T together with the K20i, but I'm fairly certain it just need better electronic management and a proper lighter car so it doesn't run on boost all the time.
|
I don't think they'll do it in the US, but both the European and Japanese cycles are pretty sensible to that tech, and over here the FE leader gets most of the sales nowadays. So Honda did whatever they needed to bring the StepWGN up front against the similarly idle-stop powered competition (Serena). Japan is very competitive market, ain't no many models selling in big numbers, and the best gets most of the cake regardless of how good the rest.
PS: Sorry if I did not answer more directly but yes, it's going to be an R20+CVT+idle-stop in there from April (and they may have tweaked some other bits like aero-friction-etc.)
|
danielgr
|
|
And the trend from past month continues into February, with Honda posting their best month since I keep records (might very well be their best month ever in Japan..., but will need to wait until they release their own figures to tell).
Toyota had also a mind-blowing month, and you can tell by the chart that all manufacturers were eager to end their respective fiscal years on a high note (March is always best season to buy a discounted car in Japan...)
Year to date Nothing moved since past month:
And here is how the top5 models list looks like:
1) Toyota Prius : 45,496 (+130.9%)
2) Honda Fit : 34,161 (+53.3%)
3) Toyota Aqua : 29,156 (new)
4) Toyota Vitz : 19,067 (+37.0%)
5) Honda Freed : 16,257 (+88.9%)
(same comments as past month)
As you can see Toyota is clearly adding production behind their Aqua push and is now closing on the ageing Fit. That said, Honda's Fit and Freed sales are higher than ever, and with highest in years production & combined sales+exports figures, it seems they simply can't make more of those right now.
PS: In April-May it'd be interesting to see if the refreshed StepWGN with EarthDreams CVT + idle-stop can fight for the top spot in the 8-seater van segment.
|
DrWhiner
|
|
I summarize the following info for the first quarter: Japanese car sales turned sharply higher in 2012, buoyed by the government's efforts to help its struggling auto industry
Honda Japan auto sales 2012:
Jan. 44,269 (+59.2%)
Fit was the industry’s second best-selling car among new vehicle registrations for the month of January 2012 with sales of 21,449 units. Freed was the industry’s third best-selling car with sales of 14,042 units.
Feb. 50,440 (+46.7%)
Fit was the industry's second best-selling car among new vehicle registrations for the month of February 2012 with sales of 24,973 units. Freed was the industry's fourth best-selling car with sales of 13,293 units.
Mar. 67,267 (+55.2%)
Fit was the industry's second best-selling car among new vehicle registrations for the month of March 2012 with sales of 34,161 units. Freed was the industry's fifth best-selling car with sales of 16,257 units.
Japan Production / Export to (World-wide) / Export to (U.S.)
Jan. 98473 (+42.4%) / 29,422 (+47.8%) / 16,532 (+41.8%)
Feb. 115,920 (+64.8%) / 33,019 (+14.8%) / 21,183 (+20.5%)
Mar. 119,711 (+244.5%) / 24,893 (+20.3%) / 11,309 (-23.1%)
Original post: http://vtec.net/forums/one-message?message_id=1062929&news_item_id=1060913&thread_style=fancy
|
danielgr
|
|
Well, to be fair now we are entering "tsunami season", so nobody should be surprised by Honda or Toyota posting incredible gains over 2011.
What is "news" is that:
- Honda remains well installed into the second spot
- With Japan going crazier than ever about fuel economy Daihatsu seems to be catching up on Nissan, which now lacks any particularly efficient model and traditionally has sold a larger percentage of big cars.
- The Aqua has finally managed to edge the Fit, making it a Toyota dedicated hybrids 1-2 in the April charts for the first time ever.
- Honda is still doing pretty well, with close to record mini-car sales driven by the N-Box and the hybrid duo Fit/Freed occupying 3rd and 4th spots right behind the Toyotas.
Here is April, where microcar makers Suzuki and Daihatsu left Nissan well behind:
And here is year to date figures (nothing moved):
And here is how the top5 models list looks like:
1) Toyota Prius : 21,906 (+349.3%)
2) Toyota Aqua : 18,481 (new)
3) Honda Fit : 16,160 (+88.5%)
4) Honda Freed : 7,828 (+108.1%)
5) Toyota Vitz : 6,619 (+42.5%)
|
blackstripe77
|
|
|
Interesting to note that if the Aqua was sold as the Prius C no other car would come close...
|
danielgr
|
|
blackstripe77 wrote:
Interesting to note that if the Aqua was sold as the Prius C no other car would come close...
|
|
blackstripe77
|
|
danielgr wrote:
blackstripe77 wrote:
Interesting to note that if the Aqua was sold as the Prius C no other car would come close...
|
|
Came to mind only because that is what it is sold as overseas. That, and that it has Prius-derived styling to keep it linked with the rest of the "Prius family".
|
danielgr
|
|
blackstripe77 wrote:
danielgr wrote:
blackstripe77 wrote:
Interesting to note that if the Aqua was sold as the Prius C no other car would come close...
|
|
|
What Toyota is doing in the US for example is like if they suddenly decided to put all Scion cars together... Sure that'd make the "Scion" the best-selling car in the US, for those people dumb enough to be so easily cheated. Personally, I'm glad Honda decided to split the "CrossTour" from the "Accord", because those are two different cars (though at least they share an awful lot and Honda always did provide CrossTour numbers separately).
Imho if Toyota decided to separate the Aqua in Japan is because they knew they had a product able to reach the top positions on its own, and it's much more valuable to get a 1-2 than an incredibly high number1. I've always respected Toyota's engineering skills, but always hated their absolute lack of "heart" or "principles". Their name-games with the Aqua is just one of so many other examples. I tend to think of companies as if they were people, Toyota is for sure a smart and skillful one, but for sure I wouldn't choose it among my friends, ain't a good person they way I'd define it (though that could be said of most large corporations).
|
Chocs
|
|
danielgr wrote:
I tend to think of companies as if they were people, Toyota is for sure a smart and skillful one, but for sure I wouldn't choose it among my friends, ain't a good person they way I'd define it (though that could be said of most large corporations).
|
Off topic, but I'm interested in how you would humanise other carmakers.
|
danielgr
|
|
As we keep moving through the "tsunami season", both Honda and Toyota keep posting incredible gains over 2011, bringing the market up with them, while less affected manufacturers such as Nissan, Mitsubishi or Subaru show only mild increases.
I am sure becoming a bit repetitive over time, but here are the most noticeable points to me:
- Honda remains well installed into the second spot, surely helped by the post-quake efficiency craziness in Japan, and well armed with both an extensive hybrid lineup (that just saw the arrival of the Fit RS and She's Hybrid) and a brand new hit in the mini-car segment: the N-Box, which had already topped the sales charts in April.
- By the same reasoning, Nissan seems now totally unable to keep the green pace, in May has surrended its 3rd position to Daihatsu already, and now it's Suzuki that seems to be pushing hard to take the 4th spot.
- On the individual model charts (excluding mini-cars) the Aqua outsold the Fit for the second successive month, and it's now right behind the Prius. To be fair though, it's not like Fit sales have suffered, but Toyota's production muscle simply pushed ahead in the race to consolidate April's 1-2 in the charts through May. Of notice though is how the Aqua seems to have cannibalized Vitz sales, which are now about half the Fit's despite being a brand new model recently introduced.
Here is May, showing a pretty similar picture to April:
And here is year to date figures, showing Daihatsu past Nissan as mentioned previously:
And here is how the top5 models list looks like:
1) Toyota Prius : 20,789 (+320.3%)
2) Toyota Aqua : 20,091 (new)
3) Honda Fit : 14,534 (+155.4%)
4) Honda Freed : 8,142 (+176.8%)
5) Toyota Vitz : 7,789 (+99.0%)
|
MalcolmR
|
|
.
Thank you for update every month, daniel.
Much appreciated.
I wonder how the Japanese market performs. Wondering no more.
Malcolm
:)
|
civicw
|
|
danielgr wrote:
And here is how the top5 models list looks like:
1) Toyota Prius : 20,789 (+320.3%)
2) Toyota Aqua : 20,091 (new)
3) Honda Fit : 14,534 (+155.4%)
4) Honda Freed : 8,142 (+176.8%)
5) Toyota Vitz : 7,789 (+99.0%)
|
I am surprised that the Aqua and Vitz have been doing so well, considering that both have a very noisy and poor ride. Perhaps in Japan it doesn't matter since there is a lot less freeway driving, and there may be a 'go with the herd' mentality in buying whatever new car Toyota introduces.
|
mobis21
|
|
danielgr wrote:
As we keep moving through the "tsunami season", both Honda and Toyota keep posting incredible gains over 2011, bringing the market up with them, while less affected manufacturers such as Nissan, Mitsubishi or Subaru show only mild increases.
I am sure becoming a bit repetitive over time, but here are the most noticeable points to me:
- Honda remains well installed into the second spot, surely helped by the post-quake efficiency craziness in Japan, and well armed with both an extensive hybrid lineup (that just saw the arrival of the Fit RS and She's Hybrid) and a brand new hit in the mini-car segment: the N-Box, which had already topped the sales charts in April.
- By the same reasoning, Nissan seems now totally unable to keep the green pace, in May has surrended its 3rd position to Daihatsu already, and now it's Suzuki that seems to be pushing hard to take the 4th spot.
- On the individual model charts (excluding mini-cars) the Aqua outsold the Fit for the second successive month, and it's now right behind the Prius. To be fair though, it's not like Fit sales have suffered, but Toyota's production muscle simply pushed ahead in the race to consolidate April's 1-2 in the charts through May. Of notice though is how the Aqua seems to have cannibalized Vitz sales, which are now about half the Fit's despite being a brand new model recently introduced.
Here is May, showing a pretty similar picture to April:
And here is year to date figures, showing Daihatsu past Nissan as mentioned previously:
And here is how the top5 models list looks like:
1) Toyota Prius : 20,789 (+320.3%)
2) Toyota Aqua : 20,091 (new)
3) Honda Fit : 14,534 (+155.4%)
4) Honda Freed : 8,142 (+176.8%)
5) Toyota Vitz : 7,789 (+99.0%)
|
Thanks for the input Danielgr!
|
danielgr
|
|
civicw wrote:
danielgr wrote:
And here is how the top5 models list looks like:
1) Toyota Prius : 20,789 (+320.3%)
2) Toyota Aqua : 20,091 (new)
3) Honda Fit : 14,534 (+155.4%)
4) Honda Freed : 8,142 (+176.8%)
5) Toyota Vitz : 7,789 (+99.0%)
|
I am surprised that the Aqua and Vitz have been doing so well, considering that both have a very noisy and poor ride. Perhaps in Japan it doesn't matter since there is a lot less freeway driving, and there may be a 'go with the herd' mentality in buying whatever new car Toyota introduces.
|
That doesn't mean there are no people valuing ride quality, simply that the sweet spot for the average japanese buyer is clearly below that of other markets markets in that area.
And right now at the top of the priority list of the average Japanese sits fuel economy... Sure the Aqua ain't a great car from many points of view, buy it trashes every other car in terms of rated mpg while remaining pretty affordable. Those qualities are good enough for a Japanese top seller when reunited in a compact hatch.
|
danielgr
|
|
danielgr wrote:
And here is how the top5 models list looks like:
1) Toyota Prius : 20,789 (+320.3%)
2) Toyota Aqua : 20,091 (new)
3) Honda Fit : 14,534 (+155.4%)
4) Honda Freed : 8,142 (+176.8%)
5) Toyota Vitz : 7,789 (+99.0%)
|
Sorry, there was an error on that list which I cannot edit. Those were absolute values, not changes, so the real "changes were":
1) Toyota Prius : 20,789 (+220.3%)
2) Toyota Aqua : 20,091 (new)
3) Honda Fit : 14,534 (+55.4%)
4) Honda Freed : 8,142 (+76.8%)
5) Toyota Vitz : 7,789 (-1%)
|
danielgr
|
|
For good or bad it seems that past year natural disaster has dramatically switched Japanese people interest towards fuel efficient models (it was always high on their list, but now it's extremely high...). Recovery figures are obviously most spectacular for those that suffered most (Toyota and Honda), but Mazda proved that the right product (CX-5 with SkyAktiv gasoline and diesel engines) can still make an impact for the rest (obviously, for larger makers a single model success cannot make such a positive impact).
For your info, Mazda skystuff is specially brilliant on Japanese super-ultra-low load driving cycles (usually less so in real life, but that doesn't count as much for most buyers...), and the relatively compact Mazda5 scores (FWD-6AT+idleStop):
- Diesel : 18.6 km/L (44mpg)
- Gasoline : 16 km/L (38 mpg)
For comparison, Honda's CR-V (R20 has same weight as eq CX-5):
- R20 FWD preED-CVT : 14.4 km/L (34 mpg)
- K24 AWD 5AT : 11.6 km/L (27 mpg)
With all that said, the CR-V never made it into the top30 of any month, while the CX-5 just jumped into 13th place with 4,671 units (or about 25% of all Mazda sales).
Otherwise, not many changes around:
- Honda got yet another remarkable month, with the Fit and Freed moving at record pace, the N-Box still N1 minicar in May, and the ED-CVT StepWGN posting an impressive +109% jump right into 7th place.
- Toyota, the major hybrid maker, is obviously enjoying the fuel efficiency drive, while the 86 posted its best month at 3,088 units, good enough to make it into the top30 for the first time (27th).
- Nissan remains unable to keep the green pace, and as I predicted past month, has now surrended its to Suzuki after losing to Daihatsu a few months before.
Here is June, with the notable CX-5 driven rise of Mazda:
And here is year to date figures, showing Suzuki past Nissan as mentioned previously:
And here is how the top5 models list looks like:
1) Toyota Prius : 28,456 (+46.5%)
2) Toyota Aqua : 25,079 (new)
3) Honda Fit : 22,068 (+35.2%)
4) Toyota Vitz : 12,023 (-2.7%)
5) Honda Freed : 11,067 (+177.6%)
|
danielgr
|
|
Not really much to notice other than the points I've made in previous months.
This month individual-model charts highlight though the cruelty of the Japanese market, where constant new releases and improvements are required for survival.
Indeed, one of past month's highlights was Mazda's CX-5 driven surge, yet a single month has been enough to flatten it out. Not that the CX-5 has stopped selling well, but 11/07 was SkyAktiv Mazda2 debut month, and a year later its sales have plunged low enough (-38%) to offset any CX-5 gains.
Otherwise, not many changes around:
- Honda got yet another remarkable month, with the Fit and Freed keeping the pace, the N-Box still N1 minicar in June (and likely to have benefited from the release of the NBox+ in July), and the ED-CVT StepWGN posting an impressive +200% jump right into 8th place. That wasn't enough though to dethrone the Nissan Serena, which is likely to extend its lead through the fall thanks to the introduction of a new mild-hybrid version, which was enough to recover the FE crown by a tiny 0.2km/L over the Honda.
- Toyota, the major hybrid maker, is obviously enjoying the fuel efficiency drive, while the 86 posted a decent month at 2,908 units, good enough to make it into the top30 for the second time (27th). Toyota also introduced their refreshed Corolla, which was enough to oust the Freed from the top5. I wouldn't expect the Corolla to hold up there for long though...
- Nissan remains unable to keep the green pace, and has lost yet another bit to Suzuki and Daihatsu, though the release of the new Note and Serena Hybrid may allow it to catch up in the fall.
Here is July:
And here is year to date :
And here is how the top5 models list looks like:
1) Toyota Prius : 33,398 (+37.9%)
2) Toyota Aqua : 26,274 (new)
3) Honda Fit : 24,153 (+16.4%)
4) Toyota Vitz : 13,404 (+1.3%)
5) Toyota Corolla : 13,138 (+114.7%)
|
WongKN
|
|
|
If I remember it correctly, based on these figures, it shows that Toyota's stranglehold on the JDM is no longer as strong as it was years before. I remember a Honda employee told me that Toyota typically outsells all of the other major japanese manufacturers combined. I.e. if we add Honda, Nissan, and Mazda sales together, they will still not equal Toyota's sales. But these current figures shows that Honda + Nissan sales are already close to Toyota's sales. Interesting development.
|
danielgr
|
|
WongKN wrote:
If I remember it correctly, based on these figures, it shows that Toyota's stranglehold on the JDM is no longer as strong as it was years before. I remember a Honda employee told me that Toyota typically outsells all of the other major japanese manufacturers combined. I.e. if we add Honda, Nissan, and Mazda sales together, they will still not equal Toyota's sales. But these current figures shows that Honda + Nissan sales are already close to Toyota's sales. Interesting development.
|
The evil is in the details, since Toyota makes no Toyota-branded Kei cars (it owns majority stake in Daihatsu instead) while Honda has always done and Nissan started not long ago (though I believe all of Nissan Keis are rebranded Suzuki/whatever under OEM agreements). So basically to compare apples to apples you have to either get only "registration cars" or add "Toyota+Daihatsu+Lexus" together.
If you do that you'll end up YTD:
- Toyota+Daihatsu+Lexus = 1,538,861
- The rest = 1,700,222
So you can see that they are indeed pretty close. Imho, what's unbalancing the equation a little bit is both Honda's and Suzuki's impressive kei-car sales.
PS1: I just realized that the grand totals for each table were wrong for months... too bad I cannot edit those pics, will start using the right values from now on.
PS2: Also, fyi, when Japanese car people talk about cars they tend to ignore "kei-cars" and talk just about "registration cars". For example not long ago Honda said that their hybrid share in JP had reached 50%. That was the case only for "registration cars". When taking into account total sales (including keis) that share was only about 30%.
|
danielgr
|
|
I sure got tired to post this every month, but that doesn't mean I don't have the data.
Here is the most interesting update, the full year one.
Yearly highlights:
- Market surges +28% after tsunami-hit 2011
- Honda and Toyota lead the pack, both because they were most affected by the disaster in 2011, and because they had the strongest line-ups facing the post-disaster fuel economy-driven market.
- Nissan, nearly unaffected in 2011 and lacking key fuel efficient models for good part of the year (specially in the incentivized first half) posted the smallest increase among the big, losing 3 positions (from 2nd to 5th) to Honda, Daihatsu, and Suzuki.
- Most automakers ended the year in red, with Honda being an exception as the N-series more than compensated for a sharp decline in end-of-life Fit & Freed.
- Overall, it seems that there is no secret to climb the charts, FE rules.
And here are the charts, as usual.
December 2012
2012 Full year
December top5 (excluding kei-cars):
1) Toyota Aqua : 20,397 (new)
2) Toyota Prius : 16,573 (-27.9)
3) Nissan Note : 9,828 (+168.8%)
4) Honda Fit : 8,380 (-45.0%)
5) Subaru Impreza : 5,250 (+110.3%)
And the 2012 Champions (excluding kei cars)
1) Toyota Prius : 317,675 (+25.8%)
2) Toyota Aqua : 266,567 (new)
3) Honda Fit : 209,276 (+0.7%)
4) Honda Freed : 106,316 (+57.0%)
5) Toyota Vitz : 105,611 (-18%)
|
blackstripe77
|
|
|
Thank you for these data posts, Daniel, much appreciated. Impressed that the Fit is still right up there.
|
danielgr
|
|
blackstripe77 wrote:
Thank you for these data posts, Daniel, much appreciated. Impressed that the Fit is still right up there.
|
As for the Fit, being honest it's still up there because it's been going one MMC after another for 6 years, and because of the addition of the hybrid and wagon models. About half of those yearly sales were hybrids.
That certainly paid off and made a considerable contribution to Honda's best selling year since 2002 (a full decade back).
Now that other automakers are getting close to its "paper-FE" at cheaper price-points (with small engines and idle-stop) the Fit is finally suffering, but nearly 6 years at the top of its game sure is an statement of how well this car Fits the needs of the masses. Fortunately for Honda they didn't slept in the mean time, and the N-series are an absolute hit that have kept their sales momentum in the weak Fit days.
I'm personally waiting for the next-gen (with ED-IMA) to sell ours. It'd be either that or a next-gen Freed; up to my wife.
|
Midi_Amp
|
|
ED-IMA should in theory propel the Fit up to constant number 2, as the Prius is almost impossible to nudge... Well except if the new hybrid engine can at least match Prius efficiency.
The Freed is perfect as is, a minor nit pick would be for it to have a mid/rear ac blower. The ac is cold and able to cool the cabin in the tropic heat, but at the expense of giving frostbites to the driver and the front passenger.
It's good Honda came to a solid second with comfortable lead even. Just look at those Suzuki-Nissan-Daihatsu sales number, looks like watching a derby with the best of the mid pack. Here's hoping for another good year (and the release of ED-IMA).
|
|
|
| |
|
| Thread Page - [1] 2 |
| |
|
![[home]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/home.gif){kind=small}
![[rumors and news]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/rumors.gif){kind=small}
![[model release matrix]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/newmodelreleasematrix.gif){kind=small}
![[dealer network]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/dealernet.gif){kind=small}
![[desktop calendar]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/calendar.gif){kind=small}
![[exhaust notes]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/exhaust.gif){kind=small}
![[tov forums]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/forums.gif){kind=small}
![[links]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/links.gif){kind=small}
![[search]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/search.gif){kind=small}
![[sponsors]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/sponsors.gif){kind=small}
![[garage]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/garage.gif){kind=small}
![[login]](http://sohc.vtec.net/elem04/login.gif){kind=small}
