Toyota's electric vehicle sales soared but are struggling in China

Toyota remains the largest automotive group globally, selling 11.3 million units in 2025. However, its electric vehicle sales are low, impacting its performance in China, the largest market. In the first nine months of 2026, global sales dropped by 3.4% to 7.52 million units, with a significant decline of 18.9% in China. Despite a 127% increase in electric vehicle sales, demand for combustion engine vehicles is falling in China due to rising fossil fuel prices. Toyota's late adoption of battery models has hindered its competitiveness, especially in the Chinese market, where electric vehicles are preferred.