[SMM Tin Breaking News: Japanese Media: Chinese Automakers' Global Sales Ranked First, Surpassing Japan for the First Time in More Than 20 Years]

Published: Mar 23, 2026 09:22

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According to a March 21 report by the Nikkei website, Japanese automakers' total global vehicle sales in 2025 edged down to about 25 million units, falling from the top spot for the first time since 2000. Chinese automakers' total global sales reached nearly 27 million units last year, surpassing Japan and ranking first in the world for the first time. The Nikkei website reached the above conclusion based on statistics compiled from data released by various automakers and survey data from the global automotive information platform MarkLines. According to the report, BYD's sales surpassed Ford's in 2025, ranking sixth globally; Geely Automobile's sales exceeded Honda's, placing eighth. In the battery EV segment, BYD overtook the US EV brand Tesla to become the global leader. In the ranking of the world's top 20 automakers by global sales, six Chinese automakers made the list, more than Japan's five. Chery, Changan, SAIC, and Great Wall were among them.

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