A Toyota achieved the position of best-selling automaker in the world for the first time in 2020. Six years later and the Japanese manufacturer remains at the top.
According to the website Motor 1a Toyota and its subsidiaries Lexus, Daihatsu e Hinosold a total of 11,322,575 units in 2025, an increase of 4.6% compared to the previous year.
The Group Volkswagenwhich came second on the podium, delivered fewer than 9 million vehicles worldwide last year.
With these numbers, the German group recorded a drop of 0.5%, with the main brand, Volkswagenfalling 1.4%, to 4.73 million vehicles. THE Audi also showed a drop of 2.9%, to 1,623,551 units.
According to Reutersthe growth of Toyota it was driven mainly by sales in the US and Japan, which together accounted for more than two-fifths of the parent company’s sales.
Above all, the numbers show that the Toyota managed to stay on track despite the US president’s trade war, Donald Trumpand the rise of Chinese automakers.
Global automakers have been warning they face billions of dollars in losses due to tariffs, prompting them to raise prices, shift production to the U.S. or reduce production.
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For 2026, the Toyota has everything to record another excellent year of sales with the arrival of a new Hilux and one Land Cruiser FJ accessible. Furthermore, the sixth generation of RAV4 is accompanied by a more accessible version, the Wildlanderfor the Chinese market.
VW is also moving to catch up, or even surpass, its Japanese rival as it prepares to launch the ID. Polo as a new entry-level electric vehicle in Europe.
The biggest models ID.3 e ID.4 should receive a new update in 2026, and the ID. Era 9Xrecently revealed for China, marks the brand’s debut in electric vehicles with a range extender.
While the Toyota and the VW Group continue to compete for first place, Hyundai ea Come on are gaining ground globally. The South Korean duo grew 0.6% compared to the previous year, reaching a combined total of 7.27 million vehicles, securing the last place on the podium.
Photo: Toyota. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
