Toyota’s Global Sales Drop 2% in November as China Leads Decline

- Global sales fall 1.9% in November to 965,919 vehicles - Production drops 3.4% as China market sees 12% sales decline Toyota experienced significant declines in its global sales and production in November 2025, primarily due to China's abrupt removal of trade-in subsidies amid escalating political tensions with Japan. On December 25, 2025, Cryptopolitan reported that the automaker’s worldwide vehicle sales fell by 1.9%, while production decreased by 3.4%. China dealt the largest blow to Toyota’s performance, with sales for both Toyota and Lexus brands dropping by 12%. The sharp downturn occurred after funding for trade-in subsidies in major cities ran out, a policy shift that coincided with increasing geopolitical challenges between Japan and China, further complicating operations. As a result, manufacturing output in China also suffered, decreasing by 14% and intensifying the challenges in this critical region. Although production grew in some regions, with a 15% increase in Thailand and a 9% increase in the United States, these gains could not offset the sharp declines in other key markets. In Japan, manufacturing output dropped by 9.7%, and the United Kingdom saw a 7.9% decline. These figures highlight the widespread challenges Toyota faced globally, extending beyond the Chinese market. Broader industry conditions remain unfavorable for automakers like Toyota, which must contend with shifting trade policies, geopolitical disputes, and evolving consumer preferences. To address tariff pressures, Toyota shipped three U.S.-built models back to Japan; however, the company continues to face hurdles as it navigates the complexities of a fragmented global marketplace.