Robert Besser
02 Apr 2025

TOKYO, Japan: Toyota is showing signs of a steady rebound in its home market, posting a second straight month of rising global output as Japanese consumers return to showrooms.

The automaker reported this week that its worldwide production rose by six percent year-on-year in February, reaching 779,790 vehicles. This growth was largely fueled by a 16 percent surge in domestic manufacturing and improved sales at home, helping offset weaker performance in overseas markets.

Global revenue also increased by six percent during the month, bolstered by a 28 percent rise in Japanese sales and a modest two percent uptick in overseas markets.

The latest figures signal a recovery for Toyota after a certification scandal last year dented its domestic reputation. February's performance suggests that consumer confidence in Japan is rebounding, though gains abroad remain more modest.

Toyota noted that production in North America declined by one percent, and exports from Japan to the U.S.—its largest overseas market—also decreased by one percent.

In North America, the company's sales dropped seven percent, which Toyota attributed to "fewer operating days and an inventory shortage of hybrids and other vehicles," while affirming that "demand for its vehicles remained strong."

Toyota's luxury Lexus brand was included in the production and sales totals.

The automaker's performance comes amid rising geopolitical and trade tensions. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on imported cars and light trucks, effective April 3.

Trump's move has raised alarms across the global auto industry, with companies weighing the potential impact of new tariffs on supply chains, production costs, and consumer pricing.

Toyota has not yet publicly commented on the tariff announcement. However, analysts warn that the added trade friction could cloud the outlook for Japanese automakers, particularly those with strong ties to the U.S. market.

Despite international headwinds, Toyota's February results underscore its firm footing at home—a market that may prove critical in buffering against external shocks in the months ahead.