In the fiercely competitive automotive world, Japanese manufacturer Toyota has once again demonstrated its market dominance. The company announced it set a new Toyota global sales record by selling 11.3 million vehicles worldwide in its latest reporting year. This achievement secures its title as the world’s best-selling automaker for the sixth consecutive year.

The new figures represent a significant 4.6% increase in global group sales compared to the previous year. It’s important to note that these numbers include sales from the main Toyota and Lexus brands, as well as its small-car unit Daihatsu and truck manufacturer Hino Motors.

Toyota’s Global Sales Record Extends Lead Over Rivals

In contrast, its closest competitor, the German Volkswagen Group, painted a different picture. Volkswagen recently reported that its unit sales fell by 0.5% last year, landing just under 9 million vehicles. The German giant is currently navigating cost-reduction efforts in its home country while also facing intense competition in the Chinese market. Consequently, the sales gap between the two automotive leaders has widened further in Toyota’s favor.

A closer look at Toyota’s growth reveals that its success is primarily fueled by strong performance in the United States and Japan. Together, these two markets accounted for more than two-fifths of the company’s total sales. Furthermore, sales of just the Toyota and Lexus brands reached 10.5 million units, a 3.7% increase that also marks a separate record. This surge was largely supported by the robust demand for hybrid vehicles in the U.S.

Hybrid Strategy Proves a Winning Formula

Export data highlights this trend, with shipments from Japan to the U.S. growing by 14.2% to approximately 615,000 vehicles. The popular RAV4 SUV played a significant role in this export success. Meanwhile, in the challenging Chinese market, Toyota managed a modest 0.2% sales increase. While small, this growth is noteworthy as it prevented a sales decline for the first time in four years despite the heavy competition.

The breakdown of its global sales portfolio is revealing. Gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles constituted a massive 42% of total sales, while battery-electric vehicles accounted for just 1.9%. This underscores the success of Toyota’s strategy, which continues to emphasize hybrids while gradually expanding its all-electric lineup.

So, what are your thoughts on Toyota’s dominance with hybrid models? Share your opinions with us in the comments!