Japanese firm Toyota was again the world’s best-selling automaker in 2022. But just how far ahead of its 2nd-placed rival was it? Let’s examine the sales figures …
Toyota held its title as the world’s best-selling automaker in 2022, registering in excess of 10 million units around the globe last year. That means it has held the crown for 3 years straight.
According to figures released by the Japanese firm, worldwide sales for the full year came in at 10 483 024 units (a slight year-on-year decline of 0.1%). For the record, this number includes sales from subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino.
Toyota (including Lexus) finished on 9 566 961 units, with Daihatsu contributing 766 091 units and the Hino truck division a further 149 972 units. Interestingly, the group’s total production (as opposed to sales) numbers increased 5.3% year on year to 10 610 604 units, with 6 957 592 of those vehicles build outside of Japan (and 114 989 of them at Prospecton here in South Africa, despite a 3-month production interruption courtesy of the KwaZulu-Natal floods).
“Despite the impact of production constraints caused by the spread of COVID-19, increased demand for semiconductors, and other factors, global sales were at the same level year-on-year as a result of solid demand centred around Asia,” Toyota said.
In South Africa, Toyota was again the best-selling automaker in 2022 with 132 035 units, meaning the Japanese firm has led the local new-vehicle market for 43 years straight. That represents 12.22% year-on-year growth, though the company’s market share in SA fell slightly, from 25.33% to 24.96%.
So, which company was Toyota’s closest rival in global terms? Well, the Volkswagen Group slotted into 2nd place, with 8 262 800 worldwide sales (down 7.0%, year on year) in 2022. As a reminder, the VW Group comprises the Volkswagen brand, Škoda, Seat (including Cupra), Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley and Porsche, as well as truck brands Man, Scania and Navistar.
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