Toyota posts record sales in May, up 7% year-on-year

Japanese automaker Toyota Motor said today that its global sales rose for the fifth consecutive month in May, setting a record for the month despite the continued tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

The company reported that global sales rose 6.9% year-on-year to 898,721 vehicles, supported by strong demand in North America, China, and Japan. Sales in the US market rose about 11% compared to the same period last year.

However, the company’s global production fell 0.7% in May, the first decline in five months, due to fewer operating days in Japan, according to a statement from Toyota. Production and sales figures also included the company’s luxury brand, Lexus.

The strong sales performance comes at a time when the Japanese auto industry is under increasing pressure due to US trade measures. Tokyo is intensifying its efforts to obtain an exemption from the 25% US tariff on cars, which has dealt a severe blow to the country’s manufacturing sector.