TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid car was Japan's best-selling vehicle in July, clinching the top spot for the second straight month, as supply recovered from a temporary shortage resulting from the March 11 earthquake-tsunami disaster, industry groups said Thursday.
The inclusion of a spin-off model, the Prius Alpha which debuted in May, in the tally also helped the Prius maintain the No. 1 spot. It sold 24,220 units in July, down 29.7 percent from a year earlier, but about 4,800 units more than in June.
Honda Motor Co.'s Fit subcompact remained in second place, with sales of 20,753 units, up 14.4 percent. Suzuki Motor Corp.'s WagonR stayed in third with sales falling 5.9 percent to 15,039 units.
The rankings of new car sales were compiled based on the latest reports of the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association.
