Toyota tops the global auto market in 2025, delivering 10.5 million cars despite U.S. tariffs and rising Chinese competition. Learn more now!
Toyota Motor Corporation announced a new all‑time high for 2025: 10,536,807 vehicles sold globally, a 3.7% rise over the previous year. The milestone secures the Japanese automaker’s sixth consecutive title as the world’s largest car manufacturer, comfortably outpacing Volkswagen’s 8,983,900 units.
Global Overview
The record‑breaking total includes sales from the luxury Lexus division and spans every major region. Outside Japan, Toyota moved more than nine million cars, up 3.6% year‑on‑year, underscoring steady demand across diverse markets.
North America: Defying Tariffs
Despite steep U.S. tariffs on Japanese‑made cars — which rose from 2.5% to 27.5% early in the year before settling at 15% after a July trade deal — Toyota’s North American sales surged 7.3% to 2.9 million units, representing roughly 28% of its global volume.
In the United States alone, deliveries grew 8%, bolstered by a 14.2% jump in exports from Japan (615,204 vehicles). The hybrid segment, led by models such as the RAV4 Prime and Prius, was a key driver of this growth.
Asia‑Pacific Highlights
In China, Hong Kong and Macau combined, Toyota sold 1.78 million cars, nearly matching the previous year’s figures. New hybrid and pure‑electric models like the bZ3X and bZ5 attracted solid interest, even as domestic EV makers intensified competition.
Southeast Asia showed mixed results. Indonesia’s sales fell 12.2% to 260,446 units amid tighter credit and fresh taxes, while Thailand recorded a 4.4% increase to 230,038 vehicles, driven by strong demand for the Yaris Ativ and the newly introduced Hilux pickup.
India shone as a bright spot, with a 17.1% rise to 351,412 units. The surge was powered by the Urban Cruiser Hyryder SUV, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid, and the launch of Toyota’s first Indian‑market electric car, the Urban Cruiser Ebella.
Hybrid & Electric Performance
Hybrid technology remains Toyota’s “golden egg.” The company sold 4.4 million hybrid vehicles in 2025 – about 42% of its total sales. Pure‑electric sales reached 199,137 units, up 42.4% from 2024, though they still lag behind the leaders in the EV space.
Challenges Ahead: Chinese Automakers on the Rise
While Toyota celebrates its record, the global automotive landscape is shifting. Chinese manufacturers are expanding rapidly, and industry forecasts suggest that combined Chinese sales could overtake Japan’s for the first time in 2025, signaling a significant rebalancing of market power.
Nevertheless, Toyota’s diversified strategy – emphasizing hybrids, expanding its EV lineup, and maintaining a strong presence in key regions – positions it well to navigate tariff uncertainties, rising competition, and the accelerating electrification of transport.
As the industry moves forward, Toyota’s 2025 performance offers a clear message: adaptability and technology focus are essential for staying on top in a rapidly evolving market.