Japan's Vehicle Market Sees 5% Growth in 2025 Despite September Slump
Japan's vehicle market has seen significant shifts in the first nine months of 2025, with a 5% increase to 3,465,406 units. However, the market shrank by 2.4% year-on-year in September, partly due to a reversal from last year's production stoppages at Daihatsu Motor. Despite this, Toyota, Daihatsu, and Mazda have shown strong performances this year.
Toyota's domestic sales rose by over 6% to 1,061,806 units year-to-date, driven by its reputation for quality and reliability. Daihatsu, which was affected by last year's production stoppages, saw a remarkable rebound of 59% to 390,737 units. Mazda also recovered well, with a 13% increase to 117,460 units. Overseas brands, led by German automakers, accounted for just over 5% of total vehicle sales in Japan year-to-date.
Sales of passenger cars and trucks have risen, but sales of medium and large buses and coaches have declined. Japanese consumers are facing increased pressure from higher vehicle loan repayment rates following the Bank of Japan's interest rate hike last year.
While the Japanese vehicle market has shown growth in 2025, the September decline serves as a reminder of the industry's volatility. Toyota, Daihatsu, and Mazda's strong performances this year highlight their resilience, but consumers are grappling with increased financial pressures. For the most accurate sales figures, it is recommended to consult the latest reports from market research institutes or official press releases from automakers.
