Toyota's Hybrid Still Top-Selling Car In Japan

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STEVE INSKEEP, host:

NPR business news starts with Toyota, which is doing just fine in Japan.

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INSKEEP: Despite recalls, and lawsuits, and apologies, and congressional hearings and a big hit to its image in America, Toyota still tops the sales charts in its home market.

Today, the Japanese Automobile Dealers Association said the number one selling car in Japan last month was the Prius. Three other Toyota models were in the top five. Japanese consumers are still enjoying government subsidies for buying cars which may have boosted sales.

Toyota's best selling hybrid car is also doing well in the United States -that's a big more surprising. February sales of the Prius, here in the United States, were still up 10 percent even as overall Toyota sales dropped sharply and many Toyotas were recalled.

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