The Toyota Prius is now the top-selling car in Japan for the 10th straight month, despite the negative publicity surrounding the recalls. In the month of February alone over 27,000 Priuses were sold in Japan, garnering roughly 10 percent of all sales.
Although Prius sales are down slightly compared to the end of 2009, the model continues to be the best selling hybrid in the world and the top selling car in Japan.
“The reaction within Japan has been very calm,” said Japan Automotive Dealers Association spokesman Kentaro Nakata. Nakata went on to explain that cancellations of Prius orders are extremely rare in Japan. “There are people waiting to snatch up the car. The Prius is seen as the pioneer of hybrid technology, and its brand image is solid.”
Orders are so strong in Japan that there is a waiting list that can take as long as six months to get a Prius. Although the Prius was affected by the braking issue in the Japanese market, Toyota did not recall models over floor mats or accelerator pedals in Japan, resulting in far less negative stigma associated with the brand in its home market. Toyota announced that it expects to have fixed the Toyota Prius es involved in the recall by the end of March.
Nakata believes Prius sales will remain strong in Japan “As far as we can see, we can barely feel any effect from the overseas recalls,” Nakata said.
References
1. ‘Toyota Prius tops Japan…’ view
