Continue Reading Toyota Motor North America Reports September, Third Quarter 2025 U.S. Sales Results For the third quarter, TMNA reported sales of 629,137 vehicles, up 15.9 percent on a volume basis and up 14.4 percent on a DSR basis versus the third quarter of 2024. Sales of electrified vehicles for the third quarter totaled 282,794 up 10.5 percent on a volume basis and up 9.1 percent on a DSR basis representing 44.9 percent of total sales volume. Toyota division posted September sales of 158,959 vehicle ...

Toyota (TM) reported another bump-up in global sales for August, with the US consumer powering the gains. The world’s largest automaker by volume said global sales rose 2.2% in August year over year to nearly 845,000 units sold, with the company marking its eighth straight month of sales gains. Toyota’s year-to-date sales through August hit 6.9 million units, up 5% compared to last year. The US, the largest market for the Japanese automaker, marked the biggest gains for Toyota. Sales in August hit 225,3 ...

Group 1 - Toyota's global sales in August increased by 2% year-on-year, reaching 844,963 units, driven by strong demand for hybrid vehicles in North America and new electric vehicles in China [2][4] - In the U.S. market, sales grew by 14%, with hybrid vehicle demand remaining robust despite price increases implemented in July [2][4] - In China, sales rose by 1% to 153,415 units, supported by the strong performance of the newly launched electric vehicle "bZ3X" [4] Group 2 - Overseas sales increased by 4% to 748,694 units, marking the highest record for August, with U.S. sales contributing significantly [4] - The number of vehicles exported from Japan to the U.S. grew by 12% to 41,342 units, reflecting strong demand in the U.S. market [4] - In Japan, sales decreased by 12% to 96,269 units due to production delays caused by a recent earthquake [5] Group 3 - Toyota's global production, including Lexus, grew by 5% to 744,176 units, with North America and Japan showing recovery in production levels [5]

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor will start making two battery-powered sport utility vehicles at its U.S. Kentucky plant and will end production of a luxury Lexus brand model at the site, a person familiar with the matter said. The electric vehicles the Japanese automaker plans to build in Kentucky will be based on the RAV4 and the Land Cruiser, according to the person, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly. Toyota declined to comment on its future product pl ...

Core Viewpoint - Toyota and Panasonic are re-entering the autonomous driving market in the U.S., leveraging the current geopolitical climate to seek new opportunities through corporate collaboration [2][4][12] Group 1: Toyota's Strategy - Toyota is set to launch a new software platform, "Arene," on the SUV "RAV4" by 2025, which will control safety functions and vehicle performance [4] - The company has shifted from solely in-house development to partnerships, including a basic agreement with Waymo to co-develop a vehicle platform for ride-hailing services [6] - Toyota's head of autonomous driving, Katsuya Kariya, emphasized the need to utilize external technologies to create synergies in the development of autonomous driving [6] Group 2: Panasonic's Transformation - Panasonic is also moving away from its previous closed-door approach, collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to enhance software development for next-generation vehicles [8] - The partnership with AWS allows for software development on a cloud platform, improving efficiency and enabling proposals to U.S. automakers without the need for hardware [8] Group 3: Market Opportunities - Goldman Sachs predicts that the North American autonomous driving market will grow to approximately $7.3 billion by 2030, a 20-fold increase from 2025, with 8% of the ride-hailing market adopting autonomous vehicles [9] - The U.S. policies promoting "inward" strategies, such as tariffs and data restrictions, are seen as beneficial for local development in the autonomous driving sector [12] - Toyota's Kariya noted that stricter data regulations will necessitate localized development, focusing on data collected within specific regions [12] Group 4: Challenges and Considerations - Japan's automotive industry excels in engine technology but lags in software development, primarily due to difficulties in integrating data from infrastructure and vehicles [12] - The shift in strategy towards collaboration and data utilization is crucial for Japanese companies to compete in the AI-driven autonomous driving market [12]

Accessibility StatementSkip Navigation PLANO, Texas, Sept. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota's SmartPath digital retail solution reached a milestone moment when Dorianne Malone, a Philadelphia-area mom and school administrator, became the 1 millionth customer to purchase a Toyota using the innovative retail technology. Â On Aug. 19, Malone arrived at Ardmore Toyota in suburban Philadelphia to purchase her brand-new RAV4 through SmartPath. What she didn't know was that Toyota representatives were waiting with a ...

Core Insights - Japanese companies, including Toyota and Panasonic, are looking to re-enter the U.S. autonomous driving market, capitalizing on the current geopolitical climate that restricts Chinese technology [1][3][4] - The absence of Chinese firms at the ITS World Congress 2025 has allowed Japanese firms to showcase their advancements in autonomous driving technology [1][3] - Toyota is shifting its strategy by collaborating with other companies, such as Nvidia and Waymo, to enhance its autonomous driving capabilities [3][4] Group 1: Market Opportunities - The U.S. market is becoming more inward-looking due to trade tensions, providing Japanese companies an opportunity to seek partnerships in autonomous driving [1][9] - Goldman Sachs predicts that the North American autonomous driving market will grow to approximately $7.3 billion by 2030, a 20-fold increase from 2025 [8] - The loosening of regulations in the U.S. regarding autonomous driving technology is seen as a favorable environment for Japanese companies to develop and test their technologies [3][9] Group 2: Technological Developments - Toyota's new software platform "Arene" will be featured in the upcoming RAV4 SUV, integrating AI and V2X technologies for enhanced vehicle safety and performance [1][3] - Japanese suppliers are transitioning from hardware-focused development to software development on cloud platforms, exemplified by Panasonic's collaboration with AWS [6][4] - The introduction of V2X technologies by various Japanese firms at the ITS World Congress indicates a strategic shift towards enhancing communication between vehicles and infrastructure [6][8] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Japanese companies face significant competition from U.S. firms like Waymo, Tesla, and Cruise, which are heavily investing in autonomous driving technology [11] - The reliance on data for developing autonomous technologies poses challenges, especially with increasing data restrictions between countries [8][11] - The historical close ties between Japanese suppliers and automakers may hinder their ability to adapt quickly to the evolving U.S. market demands [4][11]

Core Viewpoint - Toyota Motor has raised its global production target for 2025 to approximately 10 million vehicles, while confirming that there are no changes to its sales targets in the Chinese market [1][2]. Group 1: Production and Sales Performance - In the fiscal year 2023 (April 2023 to March 2024), Toyota's global sales reached approximately 10.31 million vehicles, and production was about 9.97 million vehicles, both setting historical highs [1]. - For the fiscal year 2024 (April 2024 to March 2025), Toyota anticipates a slight decline in sales by 0.3% to 10.27 million vehicles and a production decrease of 2.9% to 9.68 million vehicles [1]. - In the first half of 2025, Toyota's global sales (including Lexus) reached 5.16 million vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 5%, marking the highest figure for the same period in four years [4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - For the fiscal year 2025, Toyota expects revenue to reach 48 trillion yen, a year-on-year increase of 6.4%, while operating profit is projected to decline by 10.4% to 4.795 trillion yen, and net profit is expected to decrease by 3.6% to 4.765 trillion yen [1]. - In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 (January to March 2025), revenue is expected to grow year-on-year to 12.4 trillion yen, with a slight operating profit increase of 0.3% to 1.116 trillion yen [1]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Strategic Adjustments - Toyota's overseas sales increased by 4% in the first half of the year, reaching 4.39 million vehicles, while domestic sales in Japan rose by 13% to 768,400 vehicles [2]. - In the Chinese market, Toyota's new car sales grew by 6.8% to 837,700 vehicles, with notable performances from its joint ventures [2]. - The recent reduction of tariffs on Japanese automobiles and parts from 25% to 15% by the U.S. government is expected to positively impact Toyota and other Japanese automakers, reducing the overall tariff burden significantly [2][3]. Group 4: Localization and Future Plans - Toyota is accelerating its localization strategy in China, having established its first overseas electric vehicle and battery R&D manufacturing base in Shanghai [4]. - The company is also implementing a Regional Chief Engineer system in China to enhance local competitiveness [4]. - To meet the 10 million production target, Toyota needs to produce 5.08 million vehicles in the second half of the year, which requires an average monthly production increase to approximately 840,000 vehicles [4].

Core Viewpoint - Toyota maintains its position as the top-selling automaker in FY2024, but its operating profit has declined by 10% to 4.8 trillion yen (approximately 232 billion RMB) [1]. Group 1: Financial Performance and Leadership Compensation - Toyota's internal estimates suggest a potential 34.9% drop in net profit by FY2025, reducing it to 3.1 trillion yen [2]. - Despite the declining profits, Chairman Akio Toyoda received a salary of 1.949 billion yen (approximately 94.25 million RMB), marking an increase of over 20% [3]. - In FY2023, Toyoda's salary reached a record high of 1.622 billion yen, with a staggering 62% increase, sparking controversy [5]. Group 2: Leadership and Governance - Akio Toyoda's leadership is characterized by a high approval rating of 97%, raising questions about the value he brings to Toyota [7]. - The governance structure at Toyota has historically involved cross-shareholding, limiting Toyoda's ownership to less than 1% [10]. - Toyoda's rise to power involved a long journey through various roles within the company, showcasing a deep understanding of its operations [13][14]. Group 3: Strategic Direction and Electric Vehicle Transition - Under Toyoda's leadership, Toyota has focused on revitalizing the brand and expanding its product offerings, including sports and luxury vehicles [28]. - The company has engaged in international collaborations, investing in companies like Uber and Didi, while also partnering with competitors like BYD [42]. - Toyoda has been vocal against a rapid shift to electric vehicles, citing concerns over job losses and carbon emissions, while also committing to a 4 trillion yen investment in electrification [46][47]. Group 4: Organizational Changes and Future Outlook - Toyota has begun restructuring its employment practices, moving away from lifetime employment to a performance-based pay system [73]. - Recent strategic moves include the acquisition of its parent company, Toyota Industries, to streamline operations and enhance its transition to new technologies [82]. - The upcoming Lexus localization project aims to establish a manufacturing facility in China, set to begin production in 2027, indicating a significant shift in production strategy [85].

Core Viewpoint - The emergence of the "intelligent off-road" category, exemplified by the Dongfeng Mengshi M817, addresses the unmet needs of consumers who require vehicles that perform well in both urban and off-road environments, leveraging advanced technology to enhance usability and safety [3][21][24]. Group 1: Market Evolution - The SUV market has evolved from traditional off-road vehicles to a new category of "intelligent off-road" vehicles, driven by changing consumer demands for versatility in urban and outdoor settings [21][22]. - The off-road vehicle market in China is projected to grow significantly, with estimates indicating a market size of 894,000 units by 2025 and 1,318,000 units by 2030, highlighting the increasing consumer interest in off-road capabilities [23]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - The Dongfeng Mengshi M817 incorporates Huawei's full-stack technology, including the HUAWEI ADS 4 intelligent driving system, which enhances driving comfort and safety, particularly in urban environments [7][9][13]. - Key features of the Mengshi M817 include advanced parking capabilities, obstacle recognition, and a user-friendly cabin experience, all aimed at transforming traditional off-road vehicles into smart, versatile machines [11][17][24]. Group 3: Consumer Demand - The shift in consumer behavior towards outdoor activities such as camping and self-driving tours has led to a demand for vehicles that can seamlessly transition between city driving and off-road adventures [23]. - The need for enhanced communication and navigation features in off-road scenarios has been recognized, with Huawei's "Whale Fin Communication" technology providing superior signal strength and connectivity [17][19]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The introduction of the Mengshi M817 marks a significant step in the automotive industry, as it sets a precedent for other manufacturers to follow in creating intelligent off-road vehicles that meet modern consumer needs [24][25]. - The competitive landscape is shifting, with traditional off-road brands facing challenges from new entrants that leverage electric and intelligent technologies to capture market share [23][24].