Toyota Motor reported a 2.3% year-on-year decline in global sales to 806,905 units in February, amid competition in China’s electric vehicle segment and softer demand in its home market of Japan.

The total figure includes sales from subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor and Hino Motors.

In China, combined sales of Toyota and Lexus vehicles fell 13.9%, while production dropped 11.5%.

The decline was largely attributed to the timing of the Lunar New Year holiday, which affected both output and demand during the period.

The February figures do not yet capture any potential fallout from the Iran conflict, which began on the final day of the month.

According to a Bloomberg report, the wider automotive industry is evaluating the extent of possible disruptions, particularly given Japanese manufacturers’ dependence on the Middle East for roughly 70% of their aluminium supply.

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association indicated earlier this month that the conflict is beginning to impact supply chains and deliveries.

The industry body noted that domestic automakers exported around 800,000 vehicles to the Middle East in 2025, with a total value of approximately Y2.5tn ($15.6bn).

Logistics challenges are also emerging.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced shipping routes to divert via the Cape of Good Hope, potentially extending delivery times to about 100 days, according to JAMA as cited in the report.

Separately, Toyota said last week it is shifting more of its hydrogen fuel-cell focus toward commercial vehicles, as adoption among private consumers remains limited.

While fuel cell vehicles were previously positioned alongside battery electric vehicles as part of the transition to lower-emission transport, slower adoption has led the company to reassess their deployment.