Toyota(US:TM) Zhong Guo Jing Ying Bao·2026-02-13 07:47Core Viewpoint - Toyota aims for a global sales target of 11.3 million vehicles by 2025, marking a 4.6% increase year-on-year, while facing profitability challenges with a significant drop in net profit [2][4]. Sales Performance - Toyota's global sales for the period from April to December 2025 reached 7.302 million vehicles, a 4.3% increase year-on-year [4]. - The company reported an operating revenue of 38.09 trillion yen, up 6.8% year-on-year, but net profit fell to 3.03 trillion yen, down 26.1% [4]. Organizational Changes - To address profitability issues, Toyota announced a restructuring of its management team, with Kenta Kon set to replace Koji Sato as CEO starting April 1, 2026 [2][5]. - The restructuring aims to better tackle two main challenges: enhancing profitability and improving product connectivity [3][5]. Market Performance - In key markets, Toyota saw sales growth: a 7.3% increase in the U.S. and a 4.1% increase in Japan [3]. - In China, Toyota achieved a slight sales increase of 0.2%, marking its first growth in the market amid the shift towards electrification and smart technology [3]. Financial Strategy - The company plans to shift its focus from merely increasing production to improving financial quality and efficiency [4][5]. - Kenta Kon emphasized the importance of enhancing production efficiency and maintaining quality to meet customer demand while ensuring stable profitability [5]. Leadership Transition - The leadership change is seen as a necessary step for Toyota's future, with both Kenta Kon and Koji Sato discussing the need for a collaborative approach to improve operations and innovation [6][7]. - Sato highlighted the importance of avoiding reliance on past success formulas and fostering a culture of innovation within the company [7].