TOKYO, Nov. 6, 2009 (Kyodo News International) --
(Editors: ADDING DETAILS)
Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius gas-electric hybrid car was Japan's best-selling vehicle in October with sales of 26,918 units, staying in the top slot for the fifth straight month, according to industry data released Friday.
Sales of both old and new models of the Prius were robust due to government tax rebates and subsidies for the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles, with its popularity highlighted by the fact that some buyers will have to wait for delivery until May next year or later, industry analysts say.
Amid intense competition with rival Honda Motor Co.'s (NYSE:HMC) Insight hybrid hatchback, Toyota unveiled the new cheaper Prius hybrid with improved fuel efficiency in May.
For the month of October, Honda's Fit subcompact ranked second with sales of 15,444 units, followed by Suzuki Motor Corp.'s (OOTC:SZKMY) WagonR minicar, with sales of 15,067 units, according to the data.
Toyota and Daihatsu Motor (OOTC:DHTMY) Co. took three positions each on the top 10 list, while Honda and Suzuki saw two of their cars respectively in the top 10 ranking.
The latest figures showed that five on the list were minicars. Among them, Suzuki's Palette minicar garnered the 10th slot after it improved its fuel efficiency and became subject to tax breaks for eco-cars.
Meanwhile, Honda's Insight hybrid car fell to 15th place with sales of 7,047 units after it took the No. 1 slot in its monthly sales in April. The Insight then was the first hybrid car to rank top.
The survey was based on the latest reports by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association.
