Japanese firm Toyota was again the world’s best-selling automaker in 2022. But just how far ahead of its 2nd-placed rival was it? Let’s examine the sales figures…

Toyota held its title as the world’s best-selling automaker in 2022, registering in excess of 10 million units around the globe last year. That means it has held the crown for 3 years straight.

According to figures released by the Japanese firm, worldwide sales for the full year came in at 10483024 units (a slight year-on-year decline of 0.1%). For the record, this number includes sales from subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino.

Toyota (including Lexus) finished on 9566961 units, with Daihatsu contributing 766091 units and the Hino truck division a further 149972 units. Interestingly, the group’s total production (as opposed to sales) numbers increased 5.3% year on year to 10610604 units, with 6957592 of those vehicles build outside of Japan (and 114989 of them at Prospecton here in South Africa, despite a 3-month production interruption courtesy of the KwaZulu-Natal floods).

“Despite the impact of production constraints caused by the spread of COVID-19, increased demand for semiconductors, and other factors, global sales were at the same level year-on-year as a result of solid demand centred around Asia,” Toyota said.

In South Africa, Toyota was again the best-selling automaker in 2022 with 132 035 units, meaning the Japanese firm has led the local new-vehicle market for 43 years straight. That represents 12.22% year-on-year growth, though the company’s market share in SA fell slightly, from 25.33% to 24.96%.

The Volkswagen Group again had to settle for 2nd place.

So, which company was Toyota’s closest rival in global terms? Well, the Volkswagen Group slotted into 2nd place, with 8262800 worldwide sales (down 7.0%, year on year) in 2022. As a reminder, the VW Group comprises the Volkswagen brand, Škoda, Seat (including Cupra), Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley and Porsche, as well as truck brands Man, Scania and Navistar.

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