Toyota Motor Corporation has once again secured its position as the world’s largest automaker after reporting global sales of 11.3 million vehicles in 2025, the highest in its history. This marks the sixth consecutive year Toyota has led the global automotive market, maintaining a clear lead over major competitors such as Volkswagen Group.
Sales Performance and Market Trends:
The total volume includes sales from Toyota’s main brands, Toyota and Lexus, as well as its subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino Motors. Overall group sales rose by approximately 4.6 percent compared with the previous year, driven largely by strong demand in key markets, particularly the United States and Japan.
Hybrid vehicles remained a major contributor to Toyota’s growth, accounting for a significant share of total sales. Demand for SUVs was also strong, with models such as the RAV4 seeing healthy export volumes from Japan to the U.S. market.
In China, sales growth was relatively modest amid intense competition from both domestic and international brands. Meanwhile, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales continued to lag behind hybrids, highlighting Toyota’s current emphasis on multi-path electrification rather than a rapid shift to fully electric vehicles.
Competitive Environment:
While Toyota posted solid gains, several rivals faced a more difficult year. Volkswagen Group recorded a slight decline in global deliveries, reflecting weaker performance in China and other challenging regions.
Among Japanese manufacturers, Suzuki achieved noticeable growth in 2025, overtaking some long-established brands, including Nissan, in the global ranking.
Outlook and Forecast for 2026:
Toyota’s strong 2025 results underline the continued resilience of its hybrid-focused strategy and its ability to perform well across multiple regions.
Toyota is expected to maintain its position as the world’s leading automaker in 2026, with global sales likely to remain around the 11 million–11.5 million unit range, assuming stable demand in the U.S. and Japan. Hybrid models are projected to remain the company’s main volume driver, particularly in markets where charging infrastructure is still developing.
However, growth in China is expected to remain under pressure due to aggressive pricing and rapid product cycles from local electric-vehicle brands. At the same time, Toyota’s overall performance in 2026 will increasingly depend on how quickly it can expand competitive BEV offerings and adapt its regional product strategies as global electrification accelerates.
