Suzuki Wagon R Remains Best Selling Car in Japan

Tokyo, Apr 7, 2008; Suzuki Motor Corp.'s Wagon R minivehicle was the best selling vehicle in Japan in fiscal 2007, keeping the top position for four years in a row, industry data showed Friday.

In addition, with sales of 224,082 units in the year that ended Monday, the Wagon R was the top selling minivehicle for the fifth consecutive year, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association said.

With Japanese consumers increasingly conscious of fuel efficiency amid rising gasoline prices, minivehicles and compact cars continued to occupy the top posts.

Daihatsu Motor Co.'s Move minivehicle was the second best-selling vehicle with 199,924 units, followed by Honda Motor Co.'s Fit subcompact with 148,253 units. The Fit rose from eighth position the previous year.

Industry leader Toyota Motor Corp. and its subsidiary Daihatsu each had three models in the top 10 best selling vehicles. Honda had two models, while Nissan Motor Co. and Suzuki had one each.

In March alone, the Wagon R was the top seller for the third straight month with sales of 27,569 units.