No better proof of reliability
Toyota has been the world’s top automaker for a while now, and with more than 10 million models sold in 2024, the Japanese manufacturer stays the course. Toyota topped Volkswagen Group for the fifth year in a row, but that’s not the biggest news from the automotive giant. Toyota recently revealed it currently has over 150 million vehicles on the road. Is there really any better proof of an automotive manufacturer’s reliability?
2025 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid
Toyota’s reasoning for the reveal is financial
Automakers have relied on vehicle sales to make up the majority of their revenue until recently. Now, however, it seems the tides may be changing, with many automakers looking for new ways to monetize their vehicles. With more than 150 million vehicles on the road, Toyota is looking to grow revenue through used vehicle sales, subscription services, and parts and accessories. The automotive company also offers insurance and financial services.
2025 Toyota Corolla XSE
According to Hedges & Company, an automotive research firm, there are around 1.64 billion vehicles in operation around the world. While that’s a tough number to pin down, if it’s accurate, that means roughly 9.1% of all vehicles in operation are wearing a Toyota badge. The automaker passed the 300-million vehicle milestone back in fall 2023. Of those, 180.5 million were built in Japan, with the other 119.5 million were built elsewhere.
2025 Toyota Corolla XSE
The Toyota Corolla has held the title of World’s Best-Selling Car since 1997. Toyota sold the 50 millionth Corolla back in 2021, and in 2024, the Japanese automaker sold more than one million Corolla models. With numbers like that, it’s no surprise that the Corolla is the brand’s best-selling nameplate, with more than 53.4 million sold as of September 2023.
Toyota RAV4 dethroned the F-150
After a stint focusing on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Toyota is getting into the groove of electrification. At a glance, the automaker offers a hybrid or plug-in hybrid variant of almost every model in its lineup. Some models, like the Prius and Crown, are offered exclusively in hybrid form. Most recently, the Japanese automaker unveiled the redesigned Toyota Camry as a hybrid-only sedan. A bold move, considering the Camry has consistently topped the list of best-selling sedans, with more than 300,000 units sold in 2024.
2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD
Toyota
On the crossover side of the equation, the Toyota RAV4, which is available in gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants, officially became the best-selling vehicle in the United States, dethroning the Ford F-150 after more than 40 years at the top of the list. More than 475,000 RAV4 models left dealer lots in 2024 compared to just shy of 461,000 F-150s. The current iteration of the RAV4 is likely the last of its generation, with a brand new model expected to arrive later this year.
2025 Toyota RAV4
Toyota finally broke into the all-electric segment with the bZ4X back in 2023. The original model was underwhelming to say the least, offering less power and range than most of its competitors. The automotive manufacturer seems to have fixed those issues, though. For the 2026 model year, Toyota has renamed the electric crossover to bZ, and rightly so, given all of the EV’s updates. The new model arrives with upgraded electric motors that deliver up to 338 horsepower, up from 215 in previous examples. Per Toyota, range increases pretty dramatically, up to 314 miles. The bZ will also make the switch to an NACS charger, giving the EV access to Tesla Superchargers.
2026 Toyota bZ
Final thoughts
Toyota has led the world in automotive sales for years now, and an unwillingness (or slow uptake) to follow industry trends doesn’t seem to have rocked the boat. While the automaker is focusing more on hybrid powertrains rather than full electrification, it’s a step in the right direction. Hopefully, it’s clear that the world won’t be adopting hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for a myriad of reasons, and Toyota will instead invest further in its EV research and development.
