Toyota Motor’s global vehicle sales and production declined for a second consecutive month in August, as persistent weakness in key markets including China, the United States and the Middle East continued to weigh on the Japanese automaker.
The world’s largest automaker reported a 6.4 per cent year-on-year decline in global sales to 790,743 vehicles, while production fell 5.9 per cent to 700,860 units.
The latest figures underline the challenges facing Toyota in some of its most important markets, particularly China, where intensifying competition and changing consumer demand have continued to affect sales.
Toyota’s sales in China plunged 22.8 per cent in August, marking the seventh consecutive month of year-on-year decline in the market.
Higher petrol prices were cited as one factor weighing on demand for both hybrid vehicles and conventional internal-combustion engine models, adding to the pressure on Toyota’s performance in the Chinese market.
The decline in China was mirrored by weaker sales in other major markets.
In the United States, Toyota’s largest market, sales fell 4.4 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier. Sales in the Middle East recorded an even sharper decline, plunging 37.5 per cent.
The declines in those markets more than offset stronger performance in Japan, where Toyota sales increased by 9.1 per cent during the month.
Production also under pressure
Toyota’s production operations also recorded declines across several key manufacturing markets.
Production in China dropped 11.3 per cent in August, while output in the United States fell 6.6 per cent.
Production in Japan declined by 1.7 per cent, partly reflecting the impact of production suspensions following an earthquake on the southern island of Kyushu.
The combined effect of weaker demand in major markets and disruptions to production contributed to the company's overall decline in global output.
Toyota’s reported sales and production figures include vehicles sold and manufactured under its luxury Lexus brand.
The August performance comes as automakers globally navigate shifting consumer demand, changing fuel costs and increasing competition across both conventional and electrified vehicle segments.
For Toyota, the continued decline in China remains a significant factor in its global performance, with the market now accounting for seven consecutive months of falling sales.