by In 2025, Toyota once again confirmed its status as the world’s leading automaker, achieving a record sales level. The company sold 10.5 million cars worldwide, which is 3.7 percent more than the previous year. This success was made possible by growth both in the domestic Japanese market and in key regions around the world.
Record Sales Amid Challenges
Achieving this result is particularly significant against the backdrop of uncertainty caused by US trade tariffs and general pressure in global trade. Although Japan avoided the harshest measures, tariffs on imported cars and parts increased from 2.5% to 15%, forcing Toyota to adapt its production strategies.
The final figure was 10,536,807 vehicles, which includes Lexus models but does not account for Daihatsu or Hino sales.
If subsidiary companies are included, Toyota’s total global volume rises to 11.3 million units. This gives it a significant advantage over Volkswagen, which sold 9 million cars, and secures its title as the world’s largest automaker for the sixth consecutive year.
Dynamics in Key Markets
Asia remains the most important market for Toyota. In 2025, 3.285 million cars were sold in the region, which is 2.2% more than in 2024. In the Chinese market, the world’s largest, sales increased slightly by 0.2%, reaching 1.78 million units. This was facilitated by the launch of two new electric vehicles – the bZ3X and bZ5.
North America also showed positive dynamics. Sales there increased by 7.3%, to 2.929 million units. The main contribution to this came from the United States, which saw an annual growth of 8%. In Canada, sales increased by 4.4%, and in Mexico by 3.6%.
In Europe, Toyota sold 1.182 million cars (a 1.4% increase), while in Latin America sales fell by 3.2%, to 472,049 units.
Results in the Domestic Market
In the home Japanese market, the company also showed stable growth. Sales increased by 4.1%, to 1.501 million cars, which is approximately 18% of Toyota’s global volume.
Electrification as a Growth Driver
Almost half of Toyota’s total sales volume in 2025 consisted of electric vehicles. The company sold 4.994 million such vehicles, which is 10.2% more than the year before. Most of them were traditional hybrids, whose sales increased by 7%, to 4.433 million units.
Mild hybrid sales soared by 86.8%, to 177,172 units. Plug-in hybrids also showed growth of 19.5%, to 183,845 cars. Sales of fully electric vehicles (BEVs) grew the most dynamically, albeit from a low base – by 42.4%, to 199,137 units. In contrast, sales of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles fell sharply by 29.3%.
Success of the Luxury Division
Lexus sold 882,231 cars in 2025, which is 3.6% more than in 2024. North America remains the leader for the brand, where sales increased by 7.5%, to 408,070 units. In Asia, Lexus sales increased by only 0.3%.
These results clearly demonstrate that Toyota’s strategy, which emphasizes hybrid technologies and gradual electrification, continues to bear fruit even in difficult conditions. The company not only maintained its leadership but also significantly expanded its presence, especially in the American market. At the same time, it faces intense competition from Chinese manufacturers and pressure to accelerate the transition to fully electric models. The future will show whether Toyota can maintain this pace while continuing its cautious approach to fully electrifying its portfolio.
