China ends Japan's 25-year streak of dominance and ranks first in global car sales for the first time

According to Japanese media reports, the global new car sales pattern will change in 2025.For the first time, Chinese car companies surpassed Japanese car companies in total sales and ranked first. Japanese car companies lost their top spot for the first time since 2000.Data show that Japanese automakers' global cumulative car sales dropped slightly to about 25 million vehicles in 2025, falling out of the top spot for the first time since 2000.

Chinese car companies sold nearly 27 million vehicles globally last year, surpassing Japan and ranking first in the world for the first time.

Among the top 20 global automakers by sales,A total of 6 Chinese car companies are on the list, surpassing Japan's 5. Chery, Changan, SAIC, and Great Wall are on the list.

Among them, BYD's annual sales in 2025 will reach 4.6 million units, a year-on-year increase of 8%, surpassing Ford in sales, ranking sixth in the world; and BYD has also surpassed Tesla in the pure electric field to become the world's first.

BYD's overseas sales also exceeded 1 million units for the first time, accounting for about 20%. As cars accelerate their transformation to electrification, BYD has become the best-selling local car brand in many countries and regions around the world.

Geely Automobile sold 4.11 million units last year, 23% year-on-year, surpassing Honda and ranking eighth among global car companies.

In contrast, Japanese car companies are under pressure as a whole. Except for Toyota and Suzuki, the sales of other major manufacturers have declined. However, in the car company sales list,Toyota still ranks first in the world for the sixth consecutive year with 11.32 million units, and Volkswagen ranks second with 8.98 million units.

In this regard, some Japanese experts pointed out that the total sales volume of Chinese car companies surpassing Japan is not a simple ranking change, but a sign that the global automotive influence map has begun to be restructured. The rapid development of China's automobiles is due to its comprehensive strength in advanced technology, cost advantages, research and development speed and other aspects. Japan needs to re-adjust its automobile industry electrification and global strategy.