Japanese Scandal, Chinese Price War See Toyota's Output Slump

Global figures take hit in first six months of 2024 after safety certification investigation in Japan and China's price-cutting war.

Paul Myles, European Editor

July 30, 2024

1 Min Read
Toyota Yaris Cross
Toyota sees output drop in first half of 2024.

Toyota sees its global production decline for the fifth month in a row, hit by its domestic safety certification scandal in Japan and fierce price-cutting in the Chinese market.

The automaker’s published figures for January to June 2024 show worldwide output slumped 12.9% to 795,862 vehicles, the sharpest decline since December 2022.

In Japan output plunged 18.8% after the transport ministry found irregularities in applications by Toyota and other automakers to certify certain models in a widening of an auto safety scandal, Reuters reports.

In China, state-subsidized domestic battery-electric-vehicle makers rapidly gained market share and have aggressively cut prices. Here Toyota’s production fell 21.7%. Production in North America fell 6.2% while in Europe it dropped 6.6% due to fewer production days compared to last year.

During the first six months of this year, the automaker's global production fell 5% while worldwide sales dipped 0.9%.

About the Author

Paul Myles

European Editor, Informa Group

Paul Myles is an award-winning journalist based in Europe covering all aspects of the automotive industry. He has a wealth of experience in the field working at specialist, national and international levels.

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