Toyota stays the world’s best-selling car group for the sixth year, outpacing Volkswagen. Discover the latest sales figures and upcoming models. Read more now!
Toyota has once again topped the global automotive charts, securing its sixth consecutive year as the world’s best-selling car group. With 10,327,976 vehicles delivered across its brands—Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino—between January and November 2025, the Japanese giant posted a 4.8% increase over the same period last year.
Volkswagen, its main rival, reported 8.98 million units sold worldwide for the full year, a figure that falls short of Toyota’s year-to-date total. The German group’s overall sales slipped 0.5% in 2025, with the Volkswagen badge down 1.4% to 4.73 million cars and Audi declining 2.9% to 1.62 million.
What’s fueling Toyota’s momentum?
Part of Toyota’s edge comes from a robust product pipeline. The company is set to launch a next-generation Hilux alongside a more affordable Land Cruiser FJ. 2026 will also see the debut of the sixth-generation RAV4 across all markets, plus a budget-friendly “Wildlander” variant aimed at China.
Volkswagen’s electric push
Not standing still, Volkswagen is gearing up for a wider electric offering. The upcoming ID. Polo, priced under €25,000, targets mainstream European buyers, with a crossover version slated for launch before year‑end. Existing EV models ID.3 and ID.4 will receive fresh updates in 2026, and the ID. Era 9X—an extended‑range electric vehicle—has already been unveiled in China.
Other contenders
South Korean manufacturers Hyundai and Kia also nudged ahead, reporting a modest 0.6% rise to 7.27 million units in 2025, keeping them in third place globally. Both firms aim to push sales to 7.51 million vehicles in 2026.
With its diversified lineup and steady sales growth, Toyota appears poised to widen the gap with Volkswagen and maintain its reign at the top of the automotive world.