We've eagerly awaited Toyota's 2023 sales figures ever since the Volkswagen Group announced the sale of 9.24 million cars. The numbers are finally in, and as expected, the Japanese giant has outperformed its German competitor. With an impressive 11,233,039 vehicles shipped last year, marking a 7.2 percent increase year-over-year, Toyota continues to hold its title as the best-selling automaker for the fourth year running.
Taking a closer look at the data reveals that the Toyota and Lexus brands collectively delivered 10,307,395 cars in 2023, a substantial 7.7 percent increase from the previous year, setting a new record. Even the Daihatsu subsidiary posted commendable results, with shipments growing by 3.2 percent to reach 790,441 units. The Hino division, responsible for commercial vehicles, experienced a decline of 9.8 percent in sales, with 135,203 units sold in the last 12 months.
Sales beyond Japan reached an all-time high last year when Toyota and its subsidiaries shipped 8,928,230 cars, marking a 4.1 percent increase compared to the previous year. The primary Toyota and Lexus brands accounted for the majority of these sales, with 8,634,425 cars sold, representing a 4.3 percent increase over 2022 and setting another record. The United States stood out as the largest single market with 2,617,033 cars sold, reflecting a 7 percent increase from the previous year.
Toyota's luxury division, Lexus, achieved remarkable sales figures in 2023 by shipping 824,258 cars, marking a staggering 132-percent jump compared to 2022. North America emerged as the dominant region with 355,606 units sold (a 124 percent increase), followed by Asia with 236,587 units (a 113 percent increase), and the domestic Japanese market with 94,647 units (a 229 percent increase).
Wondering how other major automakers fared in 2023? The Hyundai/Kia/Genesis trio collectively posted total sales of 7.32 million vehicles, representing a solid 6.7 percent increase and securing the third position. General Motors is yet to release its global sales figures for the previous year, but it's worth noting that they shipped 5.93 million cars in 2022. Stellantis will publish its full year results on 15 February, while their 2022 deliveries stood at 5.84 million vehicles.
Another notable update comes from a fellow Japanese automaker, Nissan, which disclosed global sales results for the entirety of 2023. They managed to move 3,225,632 cars in the past 12 months, reflecting a respectable 4.6 percent increase.
Sources: Toyota, Lexus, Nissan
