In Europe, hybrids are treated as the work of the devil. In America, hybrids are more a statement of political leanings. Japan is downright hybrid-kichi (crazy). Exhibit A: Toyota’s Prius sales.
Cumulative sales in Japan of Toyota’s hybrid vehicles have topped the 1-million mark, in the rest of the whole wide world 1.68 million units were as of July 31, 2010, says Toyota.
In July, sales of hybrid cars and energy-efficient smaller models were strong in Japan, says The Nikkei [sub]. There is strong demand before subsidies for environmentally friendly cars expire in September
Toyota’s Prius hybrid topped the Japanese charts for the 14th straight month in July. Prius sales in Japan rose 24.3 percent year on year to 34,456 cars.
Honda’s conventional Fit subcompact came in second, with sales rising 6.6 percent to 18,141 cars. The Fit overtook Daihatsu’s Tanto minivehicle, now in third place.
The anti-Toyota witchunt that the GM-owning U.S. government and unions unleashed in America carries very little weight in Japan. And Prius was not affected by any real recall such as the U.S.-made rusty frames, or the miniscule number of bad front driveshafts. So it’s hardly a surprise Japanese buy their Priuses, especially with incentives.