Toyota breaks sales records for third consecutive month despite threat of US tariffs
Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor Corp. recorded record global sales for the third consecutive month, driven by strong demand for hybrid models in key markets including the US, Japan and China. It is reported Bloomberg with reference to corporate data.
According to official information, in May global sales of Toyota, taking into account subsidiaries of Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd., accounted for 955,532 units. This is 8% more compared to the same period last year. The production capacity of the concern also shows stability: the total volume of production in the world reached 906,984 cars.
Sales growth is recorded in key regional markets, with Toyota and Lexus sales up more than 4% in Japan, 7% in China and an impressive 11% in North America.
The company itself has already announced an increase in the cost of some models in the US by more than $200 as part of a planned price adjustment that will take effect next month.
However, Toyota’s gains may prove to be temporary if the issue of the United States’ tariff policy is not resolved. Japanese automakers, which are largely focused on the American market, warn of the risk of billions in losses in the event of the introduction of new customs rates. In May, Toyota estimated the potential losses from the increased tariffs in just two months — April and May — at ¥180 billion (about $1.2 billion).
Other major players in the Japanese auto industry are also recording negative dynamics. In particular, Honda Motor Co. reported a 4% drop in May global sales to 298,167 units, while production fell 6%. Nissan Motor Co. sold 256,159 cars – 6% less than last year, and the production volume decreased by almost 17% – to 229,645 units.
Instead, Subaru Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp. have so far refrained from releasing profit forecasts for the financial year ending in March 2026, which only underlines the uncertainty in the sector.
Commenting on the situation, Japan’s chief trade representative Ryosei Akazawa said on June 26 that Tokyo cannot agree to US President Donald Trump’s initiative to introduce a 25 percent tariff on car imports. According to Akazawa, Japanese automakers produce about 3.3 million vehicles directly in the U.S. each year, while exports from Japan are just 1.37 million units.
