Toyota remains the world’s largest automaker in 2025

Toyota has kept its crown as the world’s largest automaker for the sixth year in a row. As reported by 32CARS.RU, even without counting December, the gap to its closest rivals was wide enough that the outcome never really looked in doubt.

Toyota sales and the gap to Volkswagen

Over the first 11 months of 2025, Toyota, together with Lexus, Daihatsu, and Hino, delivered more than 10.32 million vehicles, up 4.8% year over year. By contrast, Volkswagen Group reported 8.98 million vehicles for the full year, which firmly secured second place.

Volkswagen ended the year with a 0.5% drop in sales. The core VW brand fell more sharply, and Audi also finished in the red. The group has an affordable ID. Polo electric car and updates to key models on the way, but the impact of those moves will not show up overnight. The pipeline looks sensible; the timing will test how patient the market is.

Why Toyota stays on top

Toyota’s edge comes from a broad, well-balanced lineup. The Corolla, RAV4, and Camry keep volumes consistently high, and in 2026 they will be joined by fresh metal, including an updated Hilux, the compact Land Cruiser FJ, and the sixth-generation RAV4, which will be available for its first full year. It is the kind of portfolio that keeps showrooms busy without leaning on a single hero model.

Bottom line

The results of 2025 reinforce that Toyota’s global leadership is structural rather than cyclical. While competitors search for growth triggers and adjust to the electric market, the Japanese giant continues to win on scale, diversification, and steady demand for its core nameplates. Consistency, not headline-grabbing bets, continues to set the pace.