Suzuki Motor Corporation has officially surpassed Honda Motor Co. to become the second-largest Japanese automaker by global sales volume. This shift in rankings follows data released by Japan's eight major car manufacturers for the first half of the fiscal year, covering April through September 2026.
During this six-month period, Suzuki recorded global sales of 1,824,006 units. This represents a 19.9% increase compared to the same timeframe last year, moving the company up from its previous fourth-place position. The growth is largely attributed to high demand in India, where the brand maintains a dominant market share.
In contrast, Honda reported global sales of 1,661,569 units, marking a 4% decline. The company faced significant challenges in China, where its sales dropped by approximately 50%.
Toyota remains the largest Japanese automaker and the world's top-selling car brand. However, its global sales, including Lexus, fell by 4% to 5,059,014 units during the same period.
Other Japanese manufacturers also saw varied results:
- Mazda: 616,776 units (up 1.2%)
- Daihatsu: 494,759 units (up 0.5%)
- Subaru: 470,379 units (up 3.4%)
- Nissan: 1,350,000 units (down 11.8%)
- Mitsubishi: 356,887 units (down 7%)
Across the industry, the combined global sales for these eight major Japanese automakers reached 11.83 million vehicles, a year-on-year decrease of 1.3%. While international performance fluctuated, domestic production within Japan rose by 2.4% to 3.97 million units. The results highlight the ongoing pressure Japanese brands face in the Chinese market, where local manufacturers are gaining significant ground with competitive electric vehicles.
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