22 August 2002: The top-selling car in Japan for the first half of 2002 is the Honda Fit, called the Jazz (above) on this side of the world. It is Honda's first time to capture the first half 'crown'.

Second was the Toyota Corolla and third was the new Nissan March (Micra here) which was only introduced in Japan in March.

In the first half of 2002, registered car sales fell for the first time in three years (down 5.7 percent). Standard passenger sales showed a two-digit decline but small car sales barely achieved an increase (up 0.9 percent). Automakers aggressively introduced small cars in the first half, including the Toyota ist model.

For the second half, the market is expected to expand, with the new Mazda Demio launch and the new Mitsubishi Colt upcoming. The Suzuki WagonR, a long best selling subcompact, will soon undergo a full model change.