Toyota Prius continues run as top-selling car in Japan for 18 straight months

• Source: Xinhua
• [08:46 December 07 2010]
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Toyota Motor Corp.'s hybrid gas- electric powered car continued its run for the 18th straight month as the top-selling car in Japan in November, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association, said in a report on Monday.

Toyota sold 21,400 units in Japan of its world-renown hybrid model, as its ability to switch between electricity and gas power continues to lure customers looking for increased fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions, the industry bodies said.

Sales of the Prius however fell 20.2 percent from the same month last year due in part to a government subsidy program for eco-friendly vehicles and technology coming to an end in September, the associations said.

Following in the hybrid trend, Honda Motor Co.'s Fit compact car, which now boasts hybrid technology in one of its models, ranked second after Toyota, with sales of 16,677 units, a drop of 2.9 percent and Daihatsu Motor Co.'s Tanto minicar model placed third with sales of 13,217 units, a rise of 25.8 percent, the reports showed.