Honda's fit tops Japan's car sales

Honda Motor Company's Fit compact car topped Japan's new car sales ranking in October for the first time in two and half years, thanks to its next-generation hybrid model introduced two months ago, data released by industry bodies showed Thursday. Sales of the Fit jumped 149.8 percent year-on-year to 23,281 units last month, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association. Honda launched sales of Fit's hybrid version in September, which is also the top of Japan's fuel-efficiency ranking with capable of getting 36.4 km per liter. Toyota Motor Corporation's Prius hybrid came in second with sales growing 15.3 percent to 20,886 units, followed by Toyota's Aqua hybrid with 19,984 units, down 17.4 percent. The Aqua had been the best-selling car for three months until September. Six of the top 10 models were minicars with engines no larger than 660 cc, reflecting interest among consumers in its fuel efficiency and affordable price.