Toyota Motor June-quarter profit beats estimates — but drops 11% as U.S. tariffs bite

Core Insights - Toyota Motor reported higher-than-expected operating profit for the June quarter despite facing challenges from U.S. tariffs [1] - The company's operating profit dropped 11% year-on-year, marking the third consecutive quarterly decline [1] - Net income attributable to Toyota fell 37% to 841.3 billion yen [2] Financial Performance - Revenue for the quarter was 12.25 trillion yen, slightly above the estimate of 12.19 trillion yen [4] - Operating profit was reported at 1.17 trillion yen, significantly higher than the expected 881.41 billion yen [4] Market Dynamics - Strong global demand was noted, with record worldwide sales reported in the first half of the year [2] - Japanese carmakers, including Toyota, have been reducing prices to maintain market share in the U.S. following the implementation of a 25% tariff on imported vehicles [2] - In June, the value of Japan's car exports to the U.S. fell by 25.3% year-on-year, although export volumes increased by 4.6% [3] Trade Relations - A new trade deal announced by President Trump is expected to reduce tariffs on Japanese vehicles to 15%, although the timeline for this change is unclear [3] - Auto exports to the U.S. are crucial for Japan's economy, accounting for approximately 24% of its global auto shipments in 2024 [3]