Toyota has achieved a remarkable global milestone in the first half of 2025, setting a new record in automotive sales. The Japanese carmaker boosted its global sales by 7.4%, surpassing 5.5 million units, driven primarily by soaring demand for hybrid vehicles.
According to the company's official statement, the combined output of Toyota and its affiliates Daihatsu and Hino contributed significantly to this achievement. In June alone, Toyota sold 937,246 vehicles globally, a 2.7% year-on-year increase, while production climbed 7.7% to reach 963,455 units. The growth was largely attributed to strong demand in key markets such as the United States, Japan, and China.
The U.S. market played a particularly crucial role in Toyota’s performance. The looming 25% import tariff proposed during Donald Trump’s presidency spurred many customers to make last-minute purchases early in the year. However, a recent trade agreement brought relief, fixing the tariff on Japanese car imports to the U.S. at 15%.
The United States continues to be the largest export destination for Japanese automakers, with $40.8 billion worth of vehicles shipped there last year. Additional imports also come from Toyota’s facilities in Canada and Mexico.
Despite its overall success, Toyota has struggled to gain traction in the fully electric vehicle segment. The company sold only 82,000 battery electric vehicles since the beginning of the year, with nearly all deliveries made outside of Japan.