TOKYO – Honda Motor Co. has outpaced traditional No. 2 manufacturer Nissan in year-to-date domestic new-car sales for the first time.

Honda recorded an 8.3 per cent rise in sales in the year to November, 687,026 units, compared with Nissan’s 679,608 units.

In November, Honda’s domestic sales increased 18.8 per cent to 71,029 units, while Nissan’s sales totalled 57,583 units. According to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Automobile Importers Association, November is the fourth consecutive month Honda has outsold Nissan.

Honda’s three minivan models – the Odyssey, Stepwagon and Stream – each sold more than 5000 units in November.