Toyota Sales Plummet in Middle East

JAKARTA (ANTARA) - Japanese automaker Toyota has faced pressure in April 2026, recording three consecutive months of sales declines driven by weakening demand in the Middle East and China, which have been major contributors to the company’s performance. Thai newspaper The Nation reported on Thursday (28 April) that Toyota and Lexus sales dropped 3.1% year-on-year to 849,306 units in April. Total sales for the Toyota group, including Daihatsu and Hino, also declined 3.7% to 902,015 units. The steepest decline was in the Middle East, where Toyota sales plummeted 33.7% to around 31,000 units. China’s market remains a major challenge, with sales dropping 25.4% amid intense competition and weak vehicle demand. Production cuts affected popular models such as the Land Cruiser, sedans, and commercial vehicles. This indicates that regional conflicts are not only affecting supply chains and logistics but also directly pressuring Toyota’s global sales performance across key markets. Sales declines were also seen in the United States, where Toyota reported a 4.6% drop compared to the same period last year. Conversely, Japan’s domestic market remained the mainstay of the company’s performance, with sales rising 24.2% as consumers resumed purchases after delaying transactions ahead of environmental tax rule changes. Despite declining sales, Toyota’s production performance showed growth. Global production of Toyota and Lexus rose 2% in April compared to last year, with a 12.9% increase in Asia offsetting declines in the US and Japan. Overall, the Toyota group produced 933,685 vehicles in April, a 3.4% increase from the previous year.