Toyota Sold Only 18 Electric Vehicles in Japan Last Month | Carscoops

      Toyota's sales have increased globally, yet electric vehicle (EV) demand has plummeted in Japan, resulting in the company celebrating record highs while experiencing a setback in its home market.

      As of this year, Toyota's sales have risen by 6.2 percent to over 7.4 million vehicles.

      Global sales of Toyota EVs have risen by 20.6 percent, totaling 117,031 units year-to-date.

      The Japanese market predominantly features hybrids, with sales reaching 603,676 units in 2025.

      Toyota's sales momentum continues to grow, with a modest increase last month contributing to a strong performance in the first eight months of the year. At this rate, Toyota is on track to exceed the 10.8 million vehicles sold globally in 2024.

      However, a closer examination of the latest report reveals significant anomalies, notably that only 18 battery-electric vehicles were sold in Japan during August.

      On a positive note, Toyota has reported sales of 7,409,273 vehicles across its brands—Toyota, Daihatsu, Hino, and Lexus—this year, reflecting a 6.2 percent increase from last year. However, August sales growth slowed to 900,598 units, marking a 1.3 percent decline compared to the previous year. More worrying is the decline in Japan, where Toyota's group sales dropped by 10.2 percent in August, despite a 17.8 percent increase overall for the year.

      Excluding Daihatsu and Hino, Toyota and Lexus sales in Japan fell by 12.1 percent last month, totaling 96,269 units. This slowdown has been attributed to operational challenges and delayed deliveries related to issues on the Kamchatka Peninsula, as well as the ongoing effects of a wide-reaching Prius recall from last year.

      Regarding Toyota's battery-electric vehicle sales, the report also details how the company is performing with electrified models. Globally, EV sales have increased by 20.6 percent to reach 117,031 units. However, the situation in Japan is starkly different, with sales of battery-electric vehicles plummeting by 84.9 percent in August, resulting in only 18 units sold. In the first eight months of the year, just 469 BEVs were sold in Japan, down 71.1 percent.

      This decline occurred even though overall sales of electrified vehicles in Japan have risen by 8.8 percent this year, reaching 617,947 units. Most of these comprise Toyota's traditional hybrid models, which represent 603,676 sales. Additionally, 13,551 plug-in hybrids and 251 hydrogen fuel-cell models have been sold in Japan this year.

      Abroad, however, Toyota's EV business is thriving. Global demand is on the rise with 117,031 EVs sold this year, an impressive increase of 20.6 percent. August was particularly robust, with 17,056 units delivered, reflecting a 34.5 percent increase compared to the same month last year.