The Japanese PC+LUV market increased by 3.5% in 2014
- The Japanese PC+LUV market increased by 3.5% in 2014 to 5.56 million units (against 5.37 million in 2013). This rather positive result remains far below the golden years of the Japanese market (1987-1997) when the market volume exceeded 6 million units annually, and sometimes 7 million units (1989-1991).
- New behaviours towards transportation (early 2000s) and an aging population have together changed the potential and the face of the Japanese market.
- Thus, the market fell to a level much lower than before (around 5 million units per year). In fact the current volume of the Japanese market is equivalent to that of the early 80s, i.e. 30 years ago.
- The Japanese market has also been substantially changed, since midget cars (K cars), maximum 660cc, have for the first time exceeded 40% of total registrations in 2014, while they only reached a third of the market a few years ago.
- A result of this evolution is that, specialised brands in midgets (Suzuki, Daihatsu and now Honda) have made significant progress in the Japanese market although Toyota still remains the leader (27% market share) due to a extremely diversified range of models. Imports stagnated at 5% of the total market, which is a very low figure.
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