The Fit subcompact made by Honda Motor Co. has climbed back to the top of the monthly car sales rankings for the first time in five months, selling 11,140 units in August.
The Japan Automobile Dealers Association said Thursday that the Fit, which was launched in June 2001 and was the best-selling car in Japan last year, dethroned Toyota Motor Corp.'s Corolla.
The Corolla topped the list the previous four months.
Despite a 37.5 percent decline in sales from a year earlier, the Fit outperformed all other contenders amid generally sluggish automobile sales in August.
The Corolla, which suffered a 17.9 percent sales drop on a year-on-year basis, came second with 10,888 units, while Toyota's Wish minivan came third with 10,067.
The Cube subcompact made by Nissan Motor Co. ranked fourth with 7,357.