• More than 5k units of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class were sold in Japan in 2021
• The G-Wagen outsold the C-Class, the traditional best-seller for Mercedes-Benz
• Mercedes-Benz tops the sales chart in the imported car segment

Japan is the land where little Kei cars rule the roost and even if one wants to get a regular car, domestic brands like Toyota, Honda, and Suzuki are kings. Imported brands like Mercedes-Benz can only be afforded by the rich and powerful which might be unsurprising to see that its best-selling model is the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

According to sales figures released by the Japan Automobile Importers Association (JAIA), 325,396 imported vehicles were sold in the 2021 fiscal year (April 2021-March 2022). Mercedes-Benz was the leading brand with 50,551 units sold in that period, far exceeding BMW which sold 33,610 units.

While the three-pointed star would be celebrating maintaining its lead over its Bavarian rival once again, its rugged and boxy SUV was the one taking the title as the best-selling Mercedes-Benz model in the land of the rising sun.

Also read: How BMW manipulated semantics to claim victory over Mercedes in 2021 sales race

5,238 units of the Geländewagen were sold in 2021, taking over the crown from the C-Class which was traditionally Mercedes-Benz’s best-selling model in Japan. Despite the brand-new W206 being launched in 2021, sales dropped momentarily during the transition period for the all-new model.

Also read: Here’s how the Mercedes-Benz G-Class went from army general to a plaything for the rich

With 4,970 units sold, the C-Class was the fourth best-selling Mercedes-Benz in Japan in 2021 with the A-Class and S-Class pipping ahead with 5,146 units and 5,078 units sold respectively.

Japanese media speculated that the reason for the C-Class’ falling in the ranks was also partially due to the chip shortage issue that affected automotive production in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the G-Class’ rise might be attributed due to the fulfilment of backorders affected by COVID-19.

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In the end, Mercedes-Benz’s change in the best-selling model in Japan is due to the pesky virus that has affected the production of both models. Perhaps the C-Class might retake the lead in 2022 but now instead of just some virus, there is also an ongoing conflict in Europe that is affecting automotive production around the world.

Also read: Russia-Ukraine conflict cuts supply of raw materials to BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, VW