Hermes strategygroup

Japanese-Brand Passenger Vehicle Production Tracking in China (2014 – Jan–Sep 2026) Total Japanese passenger vehicle output in China rose from 3.14 million units in 2014 to a peak of 4.59 million units in 2020, before entering a sustained downward trend. Production reached 1.11 million units in Jan–Sep 2026, marking a sharp 46.5% year-on-year drop versus the same period of 2025. In terms of internal market share structure: - Toyota’s share climbed from 30.7% in 2014 to 60.8% in Jan–Sep 2026, yet its production still fell 40.7% year-on-year. - Honda once held a high share of 33%–34.9%, before a steep decline to just 15.7% in the first nine months of 2026. Its production plunged 62.8% YoY, the largest drop among the three big Japanese automakers. - Nissan’s share has shrunk continuously since 2020, with its production down 48.4% year-on-year in the same period. At its core lies the shift in China’s automotive powertrain landscape. Domestic PHEVs and BEVs keep squeezing the traditional gasoline family car segment. Japanese brands’ long-standing strengths of fuel efficiency and reliability have been eroded. Their slow electrification pace and lagging localised adaptation are key headwinds. Suzuki and Mitsubishi already exited local vehicle manufacturing due to weak differentiation. Now, as hybrid dividends fade, even Toyota — the most resilient player — can no longer stay insulated from the downturn. #Toyota #Honda #Nissan #ChinaAuto #EV