Prius drives to top spot in Japan
By Yuri Kageyama |
January 9, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Toyota Prius was the top-selling car in Japan in 2009 -- the first time a gas-electric hybrid has clinched that spot.
The Japan Automobile Dealers Association yesterday said Toyota Motor Corp's Prius was No. 1 in its ranking of sales by vehicle models -- with 208,876 units sold in 2009, nearly three times the numbers sold the previous year.
The big success of the Prius in the home market for Toyota, the world's biggest auto maker, highlights the growing consumer acceptance of green vehicles.
Hybrid sales already make up about 10 percent of new vehicle sales in Japan.
That's huge compared to other global markets, where hybrids are eye-catching but remain a relatively niche product. Green Car Congress, which researches and compiles reports on green technology, said hybrids have a 2.8-percent share of new vehicle sales in the United States.
But car owners around the world may be about to embrace not only hybrids but also plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, which are even greener than the Prius.
The competition in green autos is expected to heighten as new models from other auto makers are expected in 2010, including the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle from General Motors Co.
So far, the Prius reigns supreme in Japan. It easily outsold the No. 2 hybrid, the Honda Insight, at 93,283 for the year, and ranking fifth in overall Japan sales.
Coming in second for overall car sales was Honda Motor Co's Fit, followed by the Toyota Vitz. Both aren't hybrids but are small and fuel efficient models.
Green models have gotten a huge lift this year in Japan from a government cash-for-clunkers program and tax breaks, aimed at boosting sales during a global slowdown that has seriously hurt Japanese auto makers.
The Japan Automobile Dealers Association yesterday said Toyota Motor Corp's Prius was No. 1 in its ranking of sales by vehicle models -- with 208,876 units sold in 2009, nearly three times the numbers sold the previous year.
The big success of the Prius in the home market for Toyota, the world's biggest auto maker, highlights the growing consumer acceptance of green vehicles.
Hybrid sales already make up about 10 percent of new vehicle sales in Japan.
That's huge compared to other global markets, where hybrids are eye-catching but remain a relatively niche product. Green Car Congress, which researches and compiles reports on green technology, said hybrids have a 2.8-percent share of new vehicle sales in the United States.
But car owners around the world may be about to embrace not only hybrids but also plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, which are even greener than the Prius.
The competition in green autos is expected to heighten as new models from other auto makers are expected in 2010, including the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle from General Motors Co.
So far, the Prius reigns supreme in Japan. It easily outsold the No. 2 hybrid, the Honda Insight, at 93,283 for the year, and ranking fifth in overall Japan sales.
Coming in second for overall car sales was Honda Motor Co's Fit, followed by the Toyota Vitz. Both aren't hybrids but are small and fuel efficient models.
Green models have gotten a huge lift this year in Japan from a government cash-for-clunkers program and tax breaks, aimed at boosting sales during a global slowdown that has seriously hurt Japanese auto makers.
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