Japan New-Vehicle Sales Slip 11% in First-Half 2015

TOKYO – New-vehicle sales in Japan fell 11.0% year-on-year to 2.7 million units during the first six months of 2015, according to statistics released by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Assn.

Toyota again was the leading brand, registering sales of 741,069 units and giving it a 27.7% market share, JAMA reports.

Toyota was followed by Honda at 394,443 units; Suzuki (340,942); Daihatsu (331,916); and Nissan (326,910). Other nameplates included Mazda (139,125); Subaru (87,850); Mitsubishi (53,440); and Isuzu (36,168).

Combined Toyota Group sales (Toyota, Daihatsu, Lexus and Hino) totaled 1,125,364 units for a 42.0% market share.

All of the leading domestic brands – Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Daihatsu and Nissan – reported declines during the period. The biggest 6-month backslide from like-2014 was Mitsubishi, down 27.0%. Honda was next, off 17.9%.

Reporting growth, most less than 5.0%, were Mazda, Subaru, Lexus and all of the nation’s truck makers.

Import-brand sales in first-half 2015 crept up 0.5% year-on-year to 144,691 units, according to JAMA.