According to foreign media reports, data from the Japan Automobile Industry Association (JAMA) showed that in January this year, the new car market in Japan showed a strong recovery momentum, with sales increasing by more than 12% year-on-year to 376,255 units, compared with 334,876 units in the same period in 2024.
Specifically, in January this year, passenger car sales in the Japanese market increased by 15% year-on-year to 328,205 units, while truck sales fell by nearly 3% year-on-year to 47,354 units, and sales of medium and large buses and long-distance buses also decreased by 8 years ago. % to 696 vehicles.
As for Japanese local car brands, in January this year, Toyota’s sales increased by 14% year-on-year to 120,234 vehicles in the domestic market, and Toyota’s small car subsidiary Dafa Automobile rebounded after experiencing a scandal for fraud in safety tests. Significantly, more than doubled from the sluggish level in the same period last year to 40,931 units; Mazda’s sales increased by 24% year-on-year to 13,041 units; Suzuki’s sales continued to maintain a good growth trend, with sales increasing by 8% year-on-year to 61,305 units.
However, some Japanese local auto brands still face challenges. For example, in January this year, Honda’s sales fell 6% year-on-year to 50,335 units in the domestic market, and Nissan’s sales fell 3% year-on-year to 39,690 units.
At the same time, overseas auto brands had a share of only 4% in the Japanese market in January this year, mainly dominated by German automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW’s MINI brand, Audi and Volkswagen.
It is worth noting that the sales data of Japanese automobiles in January 2024 were particularly weak, because Dafa Auto was forced to stop production of several key models after a safety test manipulation scandal, which also affected Mazda and Subaru. and other brands.
Looking ahead, Japan’s automobile market in 2025 is expected to continue to recover from last year’s setbacks thanks to the growth forecast of about 1.2% in Japan’s economy. The new Japanese government said it will continue to support Japan’s domestic economic growth, focus on increasing wages and family income, revitalizing the regional economy, and encourage corporate investment.