For the first time ever, a hybrid vehicle tops the overall sales chart in Japan.  Toppling the Honda Fit off of the best selling post, a spot that it has held since last year, is the all new Honda Insight.

The Honda Insight went on sale in Japan in February and the numbers are now in.  For February, Honda sold 4,906 Insight in Japan.  In March they sold 4,088, and in April, the record setting month, they sold 10,481 Insights gaining them the top spot amongst all vehicles sold in Japan for the month of April.

Holding the top sales spot with a hybrid vehicle in a single month is not a claim even Toyota and its much praised Prius can make.  Honda now officially holds the top 2 spots in overall sales with the Insight in first, and the Fit not far behind.  For Honda, this marks the first time that they have ever held the top two spots on the list.

Honda can only hope to maintain their stronghold on the top of the chart as the new Prius hits the market.

Source:  Honda
PRESS RELEASE:

Insight Becomes First Hybrid Vehicle to Rank as Best-Selling Vehicle* in Japan

TOKYO, Japan, May 11, 2009 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that Insight ranked as the industry's best-selling car among new vehicle registrations* in Japan for the month of April 2009, with sales of 10,481 units (source: Japan Automobile Dealers Association). It is the first time in history for a hybrid model to be the industry's best selling vehicle in Japan for any monthly sales period.

Fit was the industry's best-selling car among new vehicle registrations in Japan for calendar year 2008 and the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. Fit was also the industry's best-selling car for the month of March 2009, for the fourth consecutive month since December 2008, until it was displaced by Insight to become the industry's second best-selling car in April 2009,with sales of 9,443 units. It is the first time Honda has occupied the industry's top two best-selling car positions.

Since its introduction on February 6, 2009, the all-new Insight has been very well received by a wide range of customers due to its excellent environmental performance, easy-to-use packaging, light and comfortable driving and affordable pricing.
* excluding mini-vehicles - under 660cc

♦ Insight sales in Japan (source: Japan Automobile Dealers Association)
Sales of Insight was announced February 5, 2009, and began February 6, 2009

Sales Results
(since sales start)
Monthly ranking among new vehicle registrations in Japan