TOKYO, Jul. 5, 2009 (Kyodo News International) --
(Editors: TO BE LED)
Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid car was Japan's best-selling vehicle in June with sales of 22,292 units, industry groups said Monday, as recently introduced government tax breaks and subsidies helped to boost demand for fuel-efficient cars.
It is the first time Toyota's gasoline-electric hybrid, including both old and new models, has garnered the No. 1 spot, topping imported cars and even minivehicles with engines of up to 660 cc.
Japan's top automaker rolled out a fully remodeled version of the hybrid car in mid-May with a retail price at 2.05 million yen, nearly 300,000 yen cheaper than the previous lowest-end model, and with better fuel efficiency at 38 kilometers per liter.
In the June bestseller list including minicars and imported vehicles, Suzuki Motor Corp.'s (OOTC:SZKMY) WagonR minicar came in second followed by Daihatsu Motor (OOTC:DHTMY) Co.'s Move and Tanto minicars.
It is the first time in 18 months for a non-minivehicle to take the top slot since Honda Motor Co.'s (NYSE:HMC) Fit subcompact car ranked No. 1 in December 2007.
Toyota widened the gap with Honda, its main competitor in the hybrid race, with the Prius taking not only the No. 1 slot in June but also the fifth place in the January-June period within less than two months since its debut.
In addition to government tax breaks and subsidies, an official at the Japan Automobile Dealers Association said Toyota's strength also came from its extensive sales network as well as its higher fuel efficiency.
Honda's Insight hybrid, which hit the Japanese market on Feb. 6 with a starting retail price of 1.89 million yen, came to the No. 7 slot in June with sales of 8,782 units and the 11th place during the first half of the year with sales of 36,457 units.
