Toyota faces growing competition from Chinese electric carmakers.

China's EV market surged from 4% of passenger car sales in 2019 to 46% by last year, creating strong global momentum for Chinese brands. The article notes Toyota sold about 140,000 EVs in 2024 while Tesla and BYD each sold around 1.8 million, and Japanese automakers remain more focused on hybrids and delayed EV programs.

Chinese electric-vehicle makers have grown rapidly after strong domestic sales. EVs rose from 4% of passenger vehicle sales in China in 2019 to 46% by last year. That expansion has helped Chinese brands move into overseas markets once dominated by Japanese automakers. Japanese firms remain more cautious on full battery-electric vehicles and continue to emphasise hybrids. Key facts: - The article notes China’s share of passenger EV sales increased from 4% in 2019 to 46% by last year. - The article notes seven of the top 10 global BEV and plug-in hybrid brands this year were Chinese, including BYD, Geely, Wuling, Chery, Leapmotor, Xpeng and Li Auto. - The article notes Toyota sold about 140,000 EVs worldwide in 2024, while Tesla and BYD each sold about 1.8 million. - The article reports that only about 4% of cars sold in Japan are EVs or plug-in hybrids, and that EV sales in Japan fell about 8% last year. Summary: Chinese automakers have leveraged rapid domestic EV adoption, subsidies, lower costs and partnerships to expand abroad, pressuring markets where Japanese brands once led. Japanese companies are emphasising hybrids and pursuing technologies such as solid-state batteries, with Toyota reported to have delayed its solid-state battery timeline; Undetermined at this time.