Contrary to the global trend, the top-selling electric vehicle (EV) in Japan is not a Tesla, but a much more modest option – the Sakura, a kei (Japanese for “light”) car co-developed by Nissan Motor Co. (OTC:NSANY) and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (OTC:MMTOF).
According to a Bloomberg report, the Sakura, introduced last year, is the best-selling EV in Japan this year. This small, boxy, light vehicle is ideally suited to Japan’s narrow roads and everyday commuting needs, said Keiko Kondo, Nissan's chief marketing manager for Sakura's domestic business.
The Sakura and its Mitsubishi counterpart, the eK X, account for nearly half of all EV sales in Japan this year. Despite the overall subdued EV market in Japan, these models have found favor with consumers for their affordability and practicality, particularly among those living outside major cities where public transportation is sparse.
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