Toyota Motor has reported a global output decline for the ninth consecutive month in October, primarily due to declines in production in the US and China, though the drop was less severe than in previous months.
This year, Toyota production for Japan has been hit by the impact of the safety certification scandal at Daihatsu and knock-on impacts for the production of various models in the Toyota group.
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Toyota’s global sales increased by 1.4% to 903,103 vehicles in October, despite a production slump caused by challenges in key markets, including the company’s worst September since the financial crisis.
In October, the automaker produced 893,164 vehicles, down 0.8% compared to the same period in 2023.
Production in the US fell by 13% due to a four-month halt in the production of Grand Highlander and Lexus TX SUV models, caused by airbag issues.
However, manufacturing of these vehicles resumed on 21 October, with Toyota’s Indiana plant expected to reach full production by January.
In China, the company’s output decreased by 9% due to stiff competition from local manufacturers.
Meanwhile, in Thailand, Toyota’s production fell by 13% due to a slowdown in regional demand.
In contrast, Japan offered a brighter outlook with an 8% increase in production, recovering from last year’s supplier-related disruptions.
Toyota’s output also saw marginal growth in Canada and Mexico by 2% , contributing to a more stable North American production figure.
Toyota’s production and sales data do not include vehicles from Hino Motors and Daihatsu but do account for its Lexus brand.
Despite the global supply chain challenges and market shifts, Toyota’s October figures demonstrate the company’s ability to maintain steady sales growth and recover from production line interruptions.
Toyota Motor reported a 6% increase in consolidated revenues to JPY 23,282bn ($151.2bn) for the first half of FY2025, despite production stoppages at its Daihatsu subsidiary in Japan due to falsified safety tests.
These issues notably impacted the group’s operating results in the July-September quarter.
