Japan’s 8 Automakers Raise Global Production 0.4% in 2025 to 24.17 Million Units; Suzuki Overtakes Honda
Global passenger vehicle production by eight major Japanese automakers rose 0.4% year-on-year to 24,169,499 units in 2025, marking the first increase in two years, according to production, sales, and export figures released by the companies on the 29th.
Domestic production in Japan increased partly as a rebound from the vehicle certification fraud scandal that disrupted production in the previous year.
One of the notable developments in 2025 was Suzuki Motor overtaking Honda Motor in global production, driven by strong manufacturing output in India.
Suzuki produced 3,423,403 vehicles worldwide, surpassing Honda’s 3,396,057 units, as Honda was affected by semiconductor supply shortages.
Three Automakers Posted Production Growth
Three companies recorded increases in global production in 2025: Toyota Motor, Suzuki Motor, and Daihatsu Motor.
Toyota Motor returned to growth for the first time in two years, supported by strong demand in North America and Japan. Overseas production in particular reached a record high.
Suzuki Motor posted its fifth consecutive year of production growth. Although domestic output declined, overseas production increased, especially in India, where production reached a new record.
Daihatsu Motor also recovered from last year’s certification-related disruptions. Domestic production surged 50.2% year-on-year, contributing to the company’s first overall production increase in three years.
Five Automakers Recorded Declines
Meanwhile, five automakers—Honda Motor, Nissan Motor, Mitsubishi Motors, Mazda Motor, and Subaru—reported declines in production compared with the previous year, marking the second consecutive year of decreases.
Honda Motor was affected by operational adjustments in North America due to semiconductor supply shortages.
Mitsubishi Motors saw output fall following the end of production of several key models both in Japan and overseas.
Subaru was impacted by the suspension of some production lines during construction work at its Gunma Manufacturing – Yajima Plant in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture.
Industry Outlook Remains Uncertain
Looking ahead, the global automotive industry faces continued uncertainty due to several factors, including:
- Supply constraints for semiconductors
- Availability of rare earth materials
- Potential impacts from U.S. tariff policies under the Trump administration
These factors could influence global supply chains and manufacturing costs across the automotive industry in the coming years.
Source: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun
