TOKYO, Sept. 6 (Kyodo) -- Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid car topped Japan's new car sales rankings in August for the third straight month as sales rose 12.3 percent to 24,998 vehicles, industry groups said Tuesday.
Prius sales rose for the first time year-on-year in 12 months as production recovered following a plunge caused by the March 11 earthquake-tsunami disaster, with the Prius Alpha model selling well since its launch in May.
Honda Motor Co.'s Fit subcompact car remained the second-best-selling model in the month with sales at 16,868 vehicles, down 2.3 percent. Ranking third was Suzuki Motor Corp.'s WagonR minicar, with sales at 12,933 vehicles, down 3.9 percent.
The year-on-year sales declines followed year-before sharp sales growth that came just prior to the termination of government subsidies for eco-friendly vehicle purchases in September 2010.
The sales rankings are based on reports by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association.
