The Japanese Toyota retained in 2021 its crown of world number one in the automobile, by selling 10.5 million vehicles last year, an increase of 10.1%, according to data published this Friday by the group.
This performance reflects the resistance of the Japanese giant’s production (which also includes its brands hino Y Daihatsu), despite strong disruptions to global supply chains in the automotive industry, particularly for semiconductors.
Toyota has been at the top for the second consecutive year ahead of the German group volkswagen (VW brands, Audi, Skoda, Seat…), whose worldwide sales fell 4.5% last year, to 8.88 million units, according to figures published in mid-January.
The extreme attention Toyota Lending to its suppliers for many years has enabled it to better prepare for semiconductor shortages than many rivals, especially in the first half of 2021.
Subsequently, the group also experienced production difficulties, particularly with the Covid-19 in Southeast Asia, and its production in Japan is slowing down due to the Omicron wave.
Toyota also benefited last year from its more balanced global geographic position than that of volkswagen, much more dependent on the European market than the Japanese group.
Europe, where the car market posted a record low last year, accounts for just 10% of Toyota’s volume sales, while the continent accounts for about 40% of the German group’s sales.
Toyota also rose to the top spot in U.S. car sales last year, ahead of U.S. General Motors, which had been the nation’s leader since 1931.
