Toyota reports 7% global sales decline in February, driven by weakness in China, Japan

Toyota global sales fall: Toyota Motor's global sales saw a 7 per cent drop in February compared to previous year, largely influenced by notable declines in China and Japan. 

decrease in China was particularly pronounced due to Lunar New Year holidays falling in February this year, unlike in January last year.

Sales in China plummeted by 36 per cent, attributed partly to intense competition in market and a challenging price war environment. 

However, when considering combined sales for January and February, decline in China was less severe at 0.7 per cent, though still below industry-wide rise in passenger vehicle sales.

Despite a notable 16 per cent increase in US sales and a 14 per cent rise in Europe, Toyota saw a sharp decline in Japan by one-third. 

decline was partly due to production stoppages at Daihatsu, which also manufactures some Toyota-branded vehicles, and aftermath of a safety test scandal involving Daihatsu's small-car unit.

Toyota's sales in Indonesia and Thailand also witnessed double-digit declines in February. 

Nearly 40 per cent of Toyota's global sales for month comprised gasoline-electric hybrids.

global sales figures include both Toyota and Lexus brand vehicles. Meanwhile, Daihatsu reported a notable 66 per cent plunge in its worldwide sales for February.

ditionally, Toyota's global output for February decreased by 2.6 per cent to 737,178 vehicles.

(With Reuters Inputs)