Lexus UK Model Sales : 2021-24

Lexus isn't a big player in the premium segment in Europe although it does quite well in the UK. The new LBX (picture above) is the new big thing for the marque and has quickly become the best selling model. The RZ (picture below) is in its first full year and currently 4th. The new LM people mover is not going to be anything more than a low volume model.   

Total sales in the UK for 2024 was 16,652 which eclipsed 2023's 15,963. It should grow again in 2025 but that depends on how the market as a whole will go which could be down in 2024.

Data and pictures: Toyota UK.

Toyota UK Passenger Car Sales : 2021-24

The Toyota brand has been gaining steadily in the UK, its hybrid technology winning over customers. The Yaris (GR version pictured below) and Yaris Cross are the most popular models with the electric bZ4X doing well too despite its odd name. In between them is the C-HR (picture above).

Total sales in the UK for 2024 were 101,465 which is close to the complete 2023 number of 109,415. The ProAce Verso and City Verso are vans with seating so people movers or MPVs. They have previously been included in commercial vehicle data provided by Toyota but this year moved to the passenger car category. 

Data and pictures: Toyota UK.

Toyota LCV UK Model Sales : 2021-24

Toyota light commercials are an important part of the range in Europe, an area that was somewhat neglected. The Hilux is the best selling although 2024 doesn't look like it will match 2023. In 2024 registrations reached 5,520, compared to a full 2023 figure of 10,887. 

The Corolla Sportsvan commercial (picture below) is doing better albeit at a lower sales level, the 2,015 sales are well up on 2023. Taking a passenger car wagon and converting it into a van makes sense. Stylish, carlike handling and comfort yet also cost effective.

The ProAce range is sourced from Stellantis and which are already popular within that Group. An example is the ProAce City pictured above. The large Max van is about to join the range to add impetus to sales volume.  

The ProAce Verso and City Verso are vans with seating so people movers or MPVs. They have previously been included in commercial vehicle data provided by Toyota but this year moved to the passenger car category. However, in the case of the ProAce Verso (included below under the ProAce), it seems that they are being double counted in 2024, but as only 142 sales are involved I presented the data as provided. 

Total sales in the UK for 2024 are 15,136 which is down on the complete 2023 number of 19,764. The Hilux is the main reason so we shall have to see if that model will fare better in 2025 because a new generation is due sometime soon. 

Data and pictures: Toyota UK.

Toyota Global Sales : 2022-24

Toyota's global sales were down slightly, 1.4% to be precise. The two reasons for the reduction are China and Japan. The former has been the case for foreign makes as they are out under pressure from local manufacturers. The second was self inflicted. Otherwise, the total was in positive territory. 

Asia went from 48.7% to 45.8% of sales which is a large fall. North America is up to 26.9% of total global sales for the Toyota Group with the USA contributing 85% of that for the region. Europe is up to 11.5% with France now the largest market. 

What is the rest accounted for 11%, the Gulf States (GCC) made up 40.5% of that total. Finally Latin America at 4.8%, with Brazil and Argentina being the two main countries. 

Data & picture source: Toyota Group.

Toyota Global Production : 2022-24

Global production was down just over 500,000 in 2024 or 5%. Japan down half of that and the rest of the world the other half. A scandal at home had much to do with the Japan figure. As for elsewhere, China was down 244,500 units South Africa (RSA) down 44,000 units as their economy weakens. That in itself covers all the decrease and a bit more so the rest was overall up slightly. Toyota always finds a way and this will be no more than a blip on the radar. 

Asia made 64.7% of all Toyota's, North America 21.5%, Europe 8.7%, Latin America 3.9% and Africa 1.2%. Japan accounted for 50.8% of Asian assembly and China 24.5%. Cambodia has joined the Toyota family of assemblers. 

The USA makes 62% of North American Toyotas and Europe has four countries with plants after its Russian exit. Brazil and Argentina are both very active but Africa relies on South Africa and as stated already that country isn't doing well economically. 

Data & picture source: Toyota Group.

Toyota / Lexus US Model Sales : 2023/24

Toyota and Lexus are very popular in the US and it got better in 2024. Combined they sold over to 2.3 million. That's less than GM's 2.7 million but that puts it second for company sales. 

So what's selling?

Toyota Brand: Sales are up 3% or 59,000 units. That's not substantial but the total is which shows just how well the brand is viewed in the US. It's the biggest selling nameplate.

The RAV4 is the most popular model with 24% of the total sales for the brand. That's no mean feat considering the large range offered by Toyota. It's also up 9% for the year. 

The Camry is in a segment that many other brands have abandoned and it's enjoying success with less competition in a shrinking area of the market. 

The Corolla kept an even keel while its jacked up namesake had a 31% increase to 93,000 sales. 

The Tacoma pick up is down 18% while its bigger brother the Tundra is up 27% but when combined sales are down. Maybe they'll pick up next year. 

The Mirai hydrogen fuel cell model had a quiet 2024 but its hard to read anything into that, seeing that it's a technology that's yet to take off. 

I've combined the Highlander with the Grand Highlander, the latter closing in numerically on its smaller sibling as expected for the newer Grand model.

The Crown Signia SUV is supposed to be replacing the Venza but sales wouldn't give that impression so I've kept them apart. 

Data & picture source: Toyota & Lexus. Photo above the Toyota Venza and below the Lexus TX. 

Lexus: Sales are up here too, but only by 8%. That's over 25,000 more than 2023 so a good result. The US hasn't taken the LBX which is doing well elsewhere but small isn't what USA buyers go for so a fair call. 

The most popular model, the RX is up 4%, but the new TX is already proving popular. The GX is down 3% but may have been affected by the arrival of the slightly smaller but not too dissimilar sized TX. The bargelike LX did similar numbers to last year.

Those ladies below look shifty.

Toyota / Lexus Sales Europe : 2023/24

How many car companies publish data like this for Europe? I can't think of any other. Nissan does the same now (click here to view). Toyota does so here it is. 

Data source: Toyota Europe. Pictures Toyota & Lexus. 

Toyota: In 2020, Toyota sold 922,000 cars in Europe // 2021 1,004,000 // 2022 1,030,500 // 2023 1,100,00 // 2024 1,129,000. It's like a steady march forward. 

In 2024, the Yaris Cross leads from the Yaris, the C-HR and the Corolla hatch and tourer next. The Aygo Cross and RAV4 make up the main volume models. Nothing too flash but built arouind a reputation of reliability and practicality. 

Lexus: In the premium segment, European brands (notably German) have kept Lexus a more subdued marque for the Toyota Group. Reliability and practicality are still valued in this area of the market but so are image and prestige. It's harder to make sales gains in the premium arena but Lexus will plug away patiently in the Toyota way.  

From 2020 to 2023 sales volume remained about the same for Lexus in Europe. That changed with a 20% increase in 2024 which is impressive. The new LBX model helped out in that regard. The NX and the new LBX are the two most popular models.

Lexus has a long road ahead as it tries to woo Europeans, especially Germanic countries. That won't deter Toyota though.   

Toyota 1966

Toyota was emerging and even by 1966 it was showing it was going to go somewhere. The issue was how far? The established competition by and large didn't do enough to react despite the incremental improvements in the cars that kept coming. It is now the largest cart maker in the world.

In 1966, The Corona (above) was the main model, followed by the Crown and 800 (Publica). The Corolla had just arrived. There was also a small sports car called the Sports 800 around this time related to the Publica small car and production may be combined. 

Nearly half of the production at the time was for commercial vehicles, mainly of the light variety. The total of close to 600,000 was already substantial but of course no where near what it is today.

Just over 20% of production was exported in 1966. The USA accounted for 36.8% of the export total. Australia was an early adopter of the brand and it is by far the largest brand in that market today. 

South Africa and South Korea were also major destinations for exports. With import duty on imports in the main European markets at the time, smaller ones were where most Toyota's found homes in that region. 

Data source: Toyota. 

Toyota Burnaston / 5 Million

Toyota started making cars in the UK in 1993. Amazingly, it is the last new car assembly plant built in the UK for any volume car maker. The country hasn't been attracting car plant investment for some time. Chery is contemplating doing so but not decided as yet. 

The first model was the Carina which became the Avensis in late 1997. The same year, the Corolla (also called the Auris for a while) joined in the same year. The Avensis departed in 2018 but the Corolla has soldiered on alone since then. 

Moving on to the motivation for this piece, 5 million cars have now departed from the facility at Burnaston, Derbyshire. That's an average of nearly 170,000 per annum. Amazingly, the split between the two model made there is about 50/50. 

If a UK customer buys and registers a Corolla Hatchback, Touring Sport or Corolla Commercial by the  31st December 2024 and they may be one of five customers to win back the cost of their new car. A nice touch. 

Summary: Two models improves plant utilsation and cost effectiveness but Toyota has not replaced the Avensis with another model. Surely they will in the future as the volume is now well short of capacity, going by historical numbers. 

The 2024 figure is for nine months of 2024. Picture source: Toyota UK.

Toyota/Lexus Sales : 2021-23

Total worldwide sales came to 10,307,400 units, up 7.7% on 2022 and making it the world's largest car manufacturer. The Toyota world is divided into five regions with the main countries within that region having their respective sales listed. Let's look at the regions.

Asia: Nearly 5 million sales and making up 48.4% of the global total. China is the second largest market for the company with 1.9 million sales and 38.2% of the region's sales. Compared to many foreign brands, it's holding up well there. Japan is next with close to 1.7 million units sold there and 33.5% of the region in terms of volume. 

North America: The next region for size is North America with 2.6 million cars finding new homes. It does have the largest market in the USA with over 2.6 million cars sold. Unsurprisingly, it has 86% of regional registrations. 

Europe: Toyota doesn't have regional weak spots as far as penetration goes but this would be the closest to it. Just over 1.1 million passenger cars sold here in what is a large area for worldwide sales. Looking at sales by country reveals why.

The largest market is Germany yet it is only the fifth biggest in terms of sales. The UK leads the way with France, Italy and Spain all ahead of it. Russia has gone, left for Chinese brands to swoop in. 

Oceania, Middle East & Africa: This disparate collection of countries got to nearly 1.1 million sales. The GCC or the alliance of six Middle East states took nearly half a million cars. Australia and South Africa came next. I slipped in New Zealand although Toyota doesn't include it in their data. 

Latin America: Nearly half a million sales in total which isn't huge but a solid effort. Toyota was a bit late establishing itself there but is making steady progress. 

Summary: An impressive list indeed. There have been some issues that have come up at the end of 2023 that won't please Toyota's hierarchy. They will be thorough in addressing them. 

Data source: Toyota Group.

Lexus Regional Sales : 2021-23

Lexus was conceived as a North American brand, utilising top of the range Toyota models. Lexus arrived in the US in 1989 and it gradually expanded beyond North America. Toyota is a name so revered in Japan it wasn't deemed necessary to have a distinctive brand there so wasn't introduced there. 

It finally made its debut in Japan for the year 2005 but it wasn't that successful. It was outsold by both Mercedes and BMW for some years. It passed the latter in 2019 and likewise Mercedes in 2023 to become the top selling premium brand in its homeland. 

Looking at regions, North America still takes over 40% of all Lexus cars sold. Asia was accounting for a third of sales but so far in 2023 just a quarter, lower sales in China are the reason for that. Japan has suddenly moved up 11.5 percentage points! That's why it's become the top premium brand in Japan.  

As for the rest, Europe is a very disappointing 8.4% of sales. German premium marques chase volume in ways Lexus isn't. The Middle East has had an unturn and has been closing in on Europe. 

Data source: Toyota Group.

Toyota/Lexus Production (By Nation) : 2022-23

Global production was up 11.1% for 2023. Japan was +27%, the rest of Asia was +2.1%,  North America +9.5%, Latin America +0.9%, Europe +0.7% and Africa +34%. 

Asia (including Japan) contributed 2 in every 3 vehicles made, North America 1 in 5 and Europe 1 in 12. Japan alone made 1 in 3. China and the US are the next two largest producers. Thailand and Canada come 4th and 5th. The production country of the year goes to India which made a third of a million cars, up 170%! The UK could do with a second model.

Data source: Toyota Group.

Toyota LCV UK Sales : 2020-2023

Toyota does well with light commercial vehicles in many regions but in this segment, it has never been that big in Europe. It is however steadily expanding with its sourcing of LCVs from Stellantis. A large van is the next to join the ranks in mid 2024. For now, the ProAce city compact van (pictured above) and ProAce medium van (pictured below) are the two vehicles currently from that cooperative. 

The big one for Toyota LCVs is of course the Hilux pickup truck, with over half the volume. The Landcruiser is also part of the LCV range with just two seats and a larger rubberised cargo area. A Corolla hybrid model (pictured below) has been added with the same two seat layout. It sounds like a really smart idea, combining a compact van with economical hybrid motoring. 

Sales are growing nicely, up from nearly 9,000 in 2020 to close on 20,000 in 2023. The ProAce City has helped the growth in volume as it adds another option for van buyers to consider a Toyota. I'm not sure what the ultimate size of the market for the Corolla van but it's certainly worth adding to the range. 

Data source: Toyota UK.

Toyota UK Sales : 2020-2023

It's nice that Toyota UK provides sales information for the public. Virtually no one else does so and I'm baffled as to why others have to be so precious about this while Toyota UK does it without suffering in any way. 

The Yaris is the leader and has been since the year 2000 when it replaced the Starlet. The Aygo (picture below) comes next, a tiny car shared with Peugeot and Citroën. The C-HR crossover is fifth, behind the new Yaris Cross and UK made Corolla. 

Whoever named a car a bZ4X? Pronouncing it would be an ask in itself. Regardless, this new electric crossover (pictured above) will be a welcome addition to a range featuring mainly hybrids. The Mirai was a statement of where Toyota would rather be heading than with electric but the infrastructure cost associated with establishing this new type of propulsion is not favouring fuel cell cars, for now at least.

Data source: Toyota UK.

Lexus UK Model Sales : 2020-2023

Lexus sales took a slight fall in 2022, with the chip shortage hurting everyone. The CT and IS leaving the range didn't help either. With semiconductor chips in improved supply, things are better for everyone. 

The 'X' in the model name denotes crossover and the three top selling models are of that variety. They carry the brand as is the case for many manufacturers these days. 

The 2023 figure so 2023 was a good year with registrations up 50% over 2022. The crossover UX leads the way from the slightly larger NX. The new RZ electric crossover arrived (without an X).

The brand has a reputation of being well built and extremely reliable which is what I expect in a car. They would like to add an exciting driving experience to that as well, something being worked on. 

Data source: Lexus UK.

Toyota Model Sales - Belgium : 1970-74

I always thought that Toyota came of age at the beginning of the 1970s. They may have already achieved that earlier but I think the series two 1970 Corolla (pictured right) was a huge step up on the first one in terms of styling at least. 

The fourth generation Corona of the same era was likewise a much better looking car in my eyes at least. Sales reflected greater acceptance around this time in Belgium. The 1000 (picture to the left) was a solid if not a spectacular performer.

Numbers gathered pace quickly from the brand's introduction in 1966. Most sales were for the Corolla several other models did reasonably well too. The Crown was very popular in 1970 but fell away sharply but other models more than made up for that. This was a successful five years for Toyota Belgium. 

Data source: Statbel.