Motor vehicle export volume from Japan 2014-2023

In 2023, Japan exported approximately 4.42 million motor vehicles, increasing from roughly 3.81 million in the preceding year. Most exports were passenger cars, reaching around 3.98 million units; North America remained the largest export destination, with around one in three exports shipped to the United States. 

Most Japanese vehicles are not exported from Japan

Export figures only tell half the story, as Japanese brands manufacture most of their vehicles abroad, with overseas output surpassing domestic numbers. Consequently, overseas vehicle sales of Japanese carmakers are significantly higher than exports might suggest, especially in the largest automobile market in the world, China.

China: the largest sales market for Japanese carmakers?

The unit sales of leading Japanese motor vehicle manufacturers reveal the Chinese market has caught up with the US. While industry-leader Toyota still sold most of its automobiles in the North American market in 2023, Honda sold more vehicles in China than in the US, and so did Nissan.