Toyota`s Prius ranks top vehicle sales in Japan for 2nd month

TOKYO, Aug. 6 Kyodo -
Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid car was Japan's best-selling vehicle in July
with sales of 27,712 units, clinching the No. 1 spot for the second straight
month, industry groups said Thursday, thanks to recent government tax breaks
and subsidies for fuel-efficient cars.
Toyota's gasoline-electric hybrid, including both old and new models,
maintained its good performance from June when it ranked top for the first time
in terms of overall domestic auto sales, including imported cars and
minivehicles with engines of up to 660 cc, according to data from the Japan
Automobile Dealers Association and Japan Mini Vehicles Association.
Suzuki Motor Corp.'s WagonR minicar came second with sales of 18,140 units.
Also in the top 10 was Honda Motor Co.'s Insight hybrid, which ranked seventh
with sales of 10,210 units, reflecting the popularity of
environmentally-friendly cars. Insight hit the Japanese market in early
February with a starting retail price of 1.89 million yen.
Toyota's Prius is expected to retain its No. 1 slot in August and beyond,
having already received more than 250,000 orders. Speculation is also high that
Prius could rank top in the yearly ranking, industry observers said.
Japan's top automaker rolled out a fully remodeled version of the Prius in
mid-May with a retail price starting from 2.05 million yen, nearly 300,000 yen
less than the previous lowest-end model, and with better fuel efficiency at 38
kilometers per liter.
Among minicars, Suzuki's WagonR, and Daihatsu Motor Co.'s Move and Tanto
minicars continued to be strong for four straight months since April, always
securing the first five slots.
In fiscal 2008 ranking, the three cars garnered the top 3 slots.
==Kyodo