Toyota is once again the world’s top-selling automaker with total global sales in 2025 reaching 11.32 million units, which represents a 4.65% year-on-year (YoY) improvement from 2024. All figures mentioned here include vehicles sold by brands that are part of each company’s respective portfolio, which in Toyota’s case include Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino.
Referring to financial reports that have been posted up by major players, Volkswagen managed second place by delivering 8.98 million units (down 0.51%) across brands that it manages (Porsche, Audi, Skoda, etc.)
Meanwhile, Hyundai saw a slight improvement of 0.6% to hit 7.27 million units for third, while General Motors climbed 3.03% to 6.18 million units, taking the fourth spot in the process. Completing the top five is Stellantis which has 14 brands under its umbrella to see a sales total of 5.48 million units (+1.27%).
The first of three Chinese companies in the top 10 list is BYD in sixth with 4.6 million units (+7.72%), with SAIC a closed seventh with 4.51 million units (+12.33%). Both companies gain at the expense of Ford, which dropped two spots down to eighth with 4.4 million units (-1.68%).
Next up is Geely, the third and final Chinese company to make the grade with 4.12 million units (+26.03%) to secure ninth, just ahead of Honda in tenth with 3.52 million units (-7.53%). The data mentioned was compiled by CLS, and the Chinese media outlet also pointed out that vehicle sales in China hit 34.4 million units in 2025. It added that Chinese vehicle exports exceeded seven million units in 2025, ranking first in the world.
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Here is the breakdown of the 3 corporate shifts:
“1. Nokia (Failure: ~2010–2013) vs. iPhone (Start: 2007): Nokia dominated with 50%+ market share when the iPhone launched in 2007, but arrogance led them to dismiss touchscreens. By 2010, the “iPhone killer” N8 failed, and by 2013, they sold their mobile division after losing the software war to iOS and Android.
2. Yahoo (Failure: ~2008–2017) vs. Google (Recognized: 1998–2004): Yahoo was a 1990s titan that refused to buy Google in 1998 for $1M and again in 2002. While Google became the industry standard by 2004, Yahoo’s identity crisis led to a 2008 decline and 2017 sale to Verizon.
3.Kodak (Failure: 2012) vs. Digital Camera (Start: 1975/1990s): Kodak invented the digital camera in 1975 but feared it would cannibalize their film profits, only shifting focus too late in the 2000s. They filed for bankruptcy in 2012, long after rivals captured the digital market.”
but ccp has a lot of different brands so if we combine all the cumulative total of commie brands already exceeded japan .
Most only available domestically, many competing with negative profit margins, most of those 100s of brands will cannibalise one another before they reach the foreign market, let alone global success. We can see in the top 20, who has a real chance of succeeding the old Japanese and Euro brands.
What more surprise nissan sold 3.2 m behind Honda 3.5 m.. nissan sod more than bmw, merc and mazda
nissan makes cheaper cars than bmw and merc, so the cheaper brand sold more, gee what a surprise
In some markets like Australia Nissan is one of the weakest brands, peobably because they failed to innovate.
What more surprises.. nissan sold 3.2m behind hina 3.5 m, more than bmw, merc and mazda
If Msia….Honda surely 1st spot…hahahaha….the chinese will surely go to top 5 soon and will threaten Toyota and VW group soon.
Was proton sales included in Geely worldwide?
Where is Proton
While Toyota looks dominant, their lead is heavily propped up by commercial fleets. If you strip away the utes, vans, and heavy trucks (like the HiLux, Tacoma, and Hino), the “Passenger Only” landscape for 2025 looks much tighter:
Toyota Group: ~8.3M (Excl. HiLux/HiAce)
VW Group: ~8.2M (Excl. Amarok/Traton)
Hyundai-Kia: ~6.8M
Stellantis: ~4.7M (Excl. RAM)
BYD: ~4.6M
SAIC: ~4.2M
Geely: ~4.1M
Honda: ~4.0M
GM: ~3.9M (Excl. Silverado/Sierra)
Ford: ~2.8M (Excl. F-Series/Ranger)
When you exclude commercial vehicles, VW almost catches Toyota, and BYD climbs much higher since they have almost zero commercial exposure.