13:16 28-05-2026

Toyota Reports Third Straight Monthly Global Sales Decline in April

Toyota's global sales fell 3.1% in April, marking the third monthly drop. China sales plunged 25.4% amid fierce competition from local EV makers. Production rose 2%.

Toyota has reported its third consecutive monthly drop in global sales. In April, the company sold 849,306 vehicles, a 3.1% decrease compared to the same month last year.

The biggest hit came from outside Japan. International sales fell by 7.5%. In China, the decline was a sharp 25.4%, as the Japanese brand continues to face intense competition from local automakers, especially in the electric and hybrid segments. The Middle East saw an even steeper drop of 33.7%, with just over 31,000 units sold.

In the U.S., Toyota’s largest market, sales dipped by a milder 4.6%. Japan, however, posted a 24.2% increase. The company attributes this to a rebound in demand following delays in purchases ahead of a change in the environmental tax.

Production, meanwhile, actually rose 2% year over year. A 12.9% surge in Asia helped offset output declines in the U.S. and Japan. The figures include Lexus vehicles.

For Toyota, this is a concerning sign. The brand remains a global giant, but China no longer offers the same buffer. Local brands are rapidly gaining ground, and Toyota's traditional reliability isn't always enough to outweigh price, software, and model refresh speed.