Toyota Prius remains top seller for 8th straight month in Jan.

Sales of the Toyota Prius hybrid more than doubled from a year earlier in January to 29,108 units/month, staying as Japan's best-selling vehicle for the eighth consecutive month, industry bodies said Monday.

The government's decision in December to restore the eco-car subsidy program, combined with brisk sales of the Prius Alpha, a wagon or minivan version of the hybrid, contributed to the favorable sales, according to the latest reports from the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association.

Honda Motor Co.'s Fit subcompact car came second with sales surging 44.2 percent to 21,449 units, followed by Daihatsu Motor Co.'s Mira, which marked a 3.8-fold year-on-year sales increase to 19,795 units.

Toyota's Aqua hybrid and Honda's N Box light vehicle, both released in December, also seized slots in the top 10 ranking, the two groups said.