Honda has announced that the new Insight hybrid was Japan’s best selling vehicle in the month of April 2009.
Honda managed to move 10,481 units making the Insight the first hybrid to ever top the sales charts in Japan (Toyota must not be happy). The Insight was introduced on February 6, 2009. It managed to move to the top spot in April up from the 21st best-selling vehicle in March.
The Honda Fit/ Jazz was Japan’s best-selling vehicle until the Insight knocked it out of its top spot, thereby pushing it down to the number 2 spot. This is the first time that Honda has managed to occupy the two best-selling car positions in Japan.
PRESS RELEASE:
LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT FOR INSIGHT IN JAPAN
Insight is first hybrid to become Japan’s best-selling vehicle
Honda’s new Insight ranked as the entire industry’s best-selling new car in Japan for April 2009, with sales of 10,481 units. It is the first time that a hybrid model has topped the new car sales tables in Japan.
The Honda Fit (or Jazz as it is known in Europe) was Japan’s best-selling new car for calendar year 2008 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. Fit was also the industry’s best-selling car for March 2009, its fourth consecutive month at the top, until it was displaced by Insight to become the industry’s second best-selling car in April 2009. It is the first time Honda has occupied the industry’s top two best-selling car positions.
Since its introduction on February 6, 2009, the all-new Insight has been very well received by a wide range of customers due to its excellent environmental performance and affordable pricing.
Insight sales in Japan
Sales of Insight began February 6, 2009
Cumulative Sales
(since sales start)
Monthly ranking among new vehicle registrations in Japan
February 2009 Sales Result
4,906 units 10th
March 2009 Sales Result
4,088 units 21st
April 2009 Sales Result
10,481 units 1st
* excluding mini-vehicles – under 660cc
Source: Japan Automobile Dealers Association
