Used JDM cars are considered a popular choice by many car buyers in our market. JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market and the term JDM is applied to cars that were built and intended to be sold in Japanese domestic market.
Related: 2018 Best Selling Cars in Japan
According to the data by JADA (Japan Automobile Dealers Association), the best-selling car in Japan in year 2019 was the Toyota Prius while last year’s bestselling model the Nissan Note, slipped to second position. Toyota Sienta secured the third place while the Toyota Corolla surged to fourth. In total, 7 of the 10 most-popular car models in Japan in 2019 were made by Toyota.
| Rank | Brand | Model | Sales in 2019 |
| 1 | Toyota | Prius | 125,587 |
| 2 | Nissan | Note | 118,472 |
| 3 | Toyota | Sienta | 110,880 |
| 4 | Toyota | Corolla | 104,406 |
| 5 | Toyota | Aqua | 103,803 |
| 6 | Nissan | Serena | 92,956 |
| 7 | Toyota | Roomy | 91,650 |
| 8 | Toyota | Voxy | 88,012 |
| 9 | Honda | Freed | 85,596 |
| 10 | Toyota | Vitz | 81,554 |
Mini cars (kei-jidousya) or simply kei cars in Japan are vehicles defined by amongst others being shorter than 3.4 m with a maximum height of 2 m and a maximum width of 1.48 m. The engine capacity is restricted to 660cc measured by the Japanese standards.
Related: Understanding JDM, Imported & Local Assembled Cars
Once again the Honda N-Box remained the bestselling kei car in Japan having sold twice as many cars as the Prius. Daihatsu Tanto improved from 4th position to second place whereas Suzuki Spacia slipped from second to 3rd position.
| Rank | Brand | Model | Sales 2019 |
| 1 | Honda | N-BOX | 253,500 |
| 2 | Daihatsu | Tanto | 175,292 |
| 3 | Suzuki | Spacia | 166,389 |
| 4 | Nissan | Days | 157,439 |
| 5 | Toyota | Prius | 125,587 |
| 6 | Daihatsu | Move | 122,835 |
| 7 | Nissan | Note | 118,472 |
| 8 | Toyota | Sienta | 110,880 |
| 9 | Toyota | Corolla | 104,406 |
| 10 | Toyota | Aqua | 103,803 |
Toyota continued to dominate the Japanese new vehicle market in 2019. With 18 out of top 30 bestselling models being Toyota. Although Toyota is a minor player in the kei car market – the company’s presence is well represented by Daihatsu which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
