Toyota Prius returns as Japan's top-selling car

Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid topped Japan's new car sales ranking in May, regaining the number one spot for the first time in eight months, data released by industry bodies showed Thursday. Sales of the Prius fell 10.9 percent year-on-year to 18,513 units last month, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association. Daihatsu Motor Co.'s Move minivehicle came in second, with sales rising 31.0 percent to 16,528 units, followed by Honda Motor Co.'s N Box minicar with 14,627 units, down 24.4 percent. Seven 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. Japan's new car sales slid 7.3 percent in May, as the expiry of government subsidy program for the purchase of fuel-efficient cars in September sapped consumer demand.