Japanese unpopular cars are really popular overseas?
Top 10 best-selling Honda cars in the world
There are more than 5 Honda cars that sell better than the “best-selling in Japan” N-BOX !? N-box is most popular car in Japan. In 2019, Honda launched about 5.17 million cars worldwide. 83.7% of them are produced at overseas bases, and some models have not been introduced in Japan. For this reason, the sales rankings differ greatly between Japan and the world.
What is your top position in Japan?
What is your global sales position for that car?
Which model is the best-selling Honda car in the world?
Based on data from Honda, I have compiled the top 10 domestic and overseas 2019.
Photo: HONDA
Data: HONDA, Japan Automobile Sales Association
What are the top 10 Honda car sales in Japan?

N-VAN, which made its debut in succession to Acty, is ranked 6th in Japan due to favorable sales! The top in Japan is the N-BOX, which has evolved to the second generation in the summer of 2017. The N-BOX series has been the most popular model in Japan since 2017, which has topped domestic sales including registered cars for three consecutive years.
2nd place is Freed, which receives great support from the Young family in Japan. some readers may not know the cars so I will attached the photos so you can see what the car looks like.
It is very interesting that different types of cars are popular in different countries with different usage.
▼ The best 10 annual sales in Japan
- N-BOX / 253,500 vehicles
- Freed (including +) / 85,585 vehicles
- Fit (JAZZ) / 74,409 vehicles
- Wezel / 55,874 vehicles
- Step wagon / 52,068 vehicles
- N-VAN / 45,230 vehicles
- N-WGN / 32,382 vehicles
- Shuttle / 30,855 vehicles
- N-ONE / 10,5462 vehicles
- Acty Truck / 15,268 vehicles
(* Created the ranking from the Japan Automobile Sales Association, National Light Car Association data)
In Japan domestic sales, it can be seen that there is a great need for commercial vehicles such as the multi-purpose commercial van “N-VAN” that can be used for both hobbies and as commercial use. “Acty truck” was said that production is scheduled to end in June 2021.
Also, Odyssey, a minivan that once boasted huge popularity, was ranked 11th, which was unfortunately out of rank.
Now, Lets look at the selling in world. I was very surprised to see the ranking! also the very interesting to see the types of car was sold and popular in the world. Honda’s No. 1 selling in the World in 2019 has sold 60 times as much as Japan market!!
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CR-V / 824,708 vehicles
2020 model North American CR-V
The CR-V, which used to be in a position close to the Vezel, has evolved into a Honda signature model by increasing its size to meet overseas needs. The current model, which was launched in 2016, strengthens that position.
∙ The domestic sales volume is 13,041 vehicles , which is the 12th place in Japanese market. Considering the fact that the price is gets higher due to the simple grade structure that boasts a lot of equipment, it can be said that it has made some achievements in Japan.
However, considering the popularity of overseas, it is certainly a bit disappointment in Japanese market . By the way, overseas, 2.4L naturally aspirated engine and diesel engine also exist to meet local needs.
2nd: Civic / 815,268 vehicles

North American Civic Coupe Sport 2020 model
The Japan domestic sales volume of 2019 is 13,937, which is the 13th place, but the breakdown is 1,806 for sedan, 6,447 for hatchback, 2684 for type R, and hatchback and type R are selling better than sedan Is the reality.
However, when we look to the world, this car still have the face of a popular car representing Honda. Basically, it will be a sedan, a hatchback, and a Type R, but a 2-door coupe is also available in some regions such as North America.
3rd : Vezel HR-V / 619,310 Vehicles
Vezel sold as “HR-V” in most countries except Japan.
Vezel, the most popular SUV model in 2019 in Japan, is also one of the global models. Taking advantage of its affordable size, it is very popular in the world. Overseas, it inherits the name of HR-V, a compact crossover that can be said to be the ancestor of Vezel.
By the way, in China and Hong Kong, we call it the Vezel as in Japan, but it is not well known that the sister model XR-V will be deployed in China.
Accord and Fit(Jazz) reverse position in Japan and overseas !?
Let’s look at Honda world sales 4th-6th
4th : Accord / 578,485 vehicles
The photo shows the Accord Sport with North American specifications. Equipped with 2.0L turbo engine not yet set in Japan. In Japan, the Accord has become a completely minor model. The number of vehicles sold in 2019 was 1,056 vehicles . However, it is a big success as Honda’s best-selling sedan in the world. In the Asian region, especially Thailand, the position is higher than that of its rival Toyota Camry, which gives it a very good image.
Finally, the Japanese specifications have been reborn into a sporty style that is common throughout the world. I would like to pray for a good fight with that style and the new two-motor hybrid “e: HEV.”
5th: Fit Jazz / 435,931 vehicles
 Fit which is sold as jazz in Europe and elsewhere. A new model has already appeared
In Japan, the fit that once held the position of the Civic is a new topic in Japan and is one of the hot topics. It has been sold all over the world since the first generation, but surprisingly, its position is settled in 5th place.
The reason is obvious when you look at the number of sales in the US market in 2019, which is one of the largest markets. The Civic, CR-V and Accord sell more than 200,000 vehicles , while the Jazz remains at about 27,000 vehicles. In a country with a large share of large cars, such as the United States, it seems that the number may not grow because it is small.
6th: N-BOX / 253,502 vehicles

6th in the world with only sold Japan is amazing haha! The N-BOX is a major pillar of Honda even in the world.
The N-BOX, the best-selling car in Japan, ranks 6th in the world. Of course, it is a mini car, so it is only available in Japan. this is the categories of a car called kei-car in Japan.
Japanese vehicle category for the smallest highway-legal passenger cars.These regulations specify a maximum vehicle size, engine capacity of max of 660cc.
You can see how the success of the N series supports Honda in Japan, even though it is said that the number of cars sales has been decreasing.
By the way, for the N series, which is intensively developed and produced in the Suzuka area, Honda’s production technology has been introduced in advance, and the results are being rolled out worldwide. The significance of making a mini car seems to be great.
Models not yet released in Japan are appearing one after another !!
so here comes Honda world sales 7th-10th
7th: Brio / 203,551 vehicles

The photo shows the latest model Brio “RS”
▽ Honda’s A segment compact car for emerging countries ranked 7th.
Despite being based on the 2nd generation of Jazz, it is a low-priced entry Honda that has been downsized. The first model developed mainly in Thailand appeared in 2011.
In Indonesia, we will introduce a new model that is the second generation that has been slightly upsized in 2018. It is a 5-door hatchback that reduces development costs by diverting part of the original platform. At the moment, Honda is conducting a unique development in which old and new coexist in accordance with the needs of the region.
8th: Crider / 197,768 vehicles

A mid sedan for China (CRIDER)
Developed for the popular Chinese market with sedans, mainly by Chinese staff. It is a Honda car for Chinese people. The biggest feature is that it is a middle-sized sedan that is larger than the Civic. Completely redesigned in 2018 and evolved into a new model. The power unit is equipped with a 1.0L downsize turbo. It seems a little lacking in power. It may have received a low price of 99,800 RMB (about USD$13,000), which is lower than that of the Civic.
9th : City / 192,598 vehicles

In Japan, the “City” known as “Grace” has change to a new model in 2019
City that evolved to the fifth generation at the Thailand International Motor Expo in autumn 2019 is a compact 4-door sedan. The name of the city, which is familiar to Japanese people, is given, but the Japanese model of the predecessor model is familiar under the name of Grace and is also active as a genuine Honda training car.
Strategy vehicle for emerging countries, conventional type is deployed in 60 countries and regions around the world. Similarly, the new model will also be rolled out globally. The Thai version will be equipped with a 1.0-liter downsize turbo in all cars in line with local environmental measures.
10th: Pilot / 149,791 vehicles

A pilot not yet released in Japan. Super large full-size SUV with a total length of 5m and a width of 2m. The pilot is a large SUV equipped with a three-row seat that has never been introduced in Japan. maybe this is too big for small countries like Japan. Worldwide expansion centered on North America. Although it is a sister car of the Acura MDX, it has a style suitable for a more family car. In the US Honda SUV sales, it is the second most popular car after the CR-V, and it will sell about 100,000 vehicles in 2019. The 3.5L V6 engine provides a powerful ride, which is a great advantage outdoors.
(* Created from Honda Public Relations Department data)
The top 10 that are different between the world and Japan but have become obvious. Although it can be seen that the needs will vary depending on the region, the fact that Japan’s Honda is supported by mini cars has been highlighted, such as the N-BOX, which is exclusively sold in Japan, ranks sixth in the world.
It is very interesting and I can say that the types of selling vehicles are totally depending on the countries and regions their needs. Big country such as North America, the road is very big so I can understand that people can buy larger cars. whereas if you buy Pilot in Japan, it will be very hard for people to drive in cities. also, countries such as Thailand, we call those countries as Emerging countries, it will be easier to expand the market in their country if Honda can reduce the price for the people. once they get the good review from customers, they will be able to expand their sales easier.
