Top 25 global carmakers in 2025: Chinese carmakers are the most represented
- Global automotive production (passenger cars and light utility vehicles) increased by nearly 2% in 2025 compared to 2024, while global automotive sales (passenger cars and light utility vehicles) are expected to have risen by 4.7%. Passenger car sales have increased by 5.0%, and light utility vehicle by 2.9%.
- As previously mentioned, the largest carmakers in 2025 are Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai-Kia, General Motors, and Stellantis. This so-called "Western" ranking includes the production of non-Chinese models by Chinese carmakers in the figures for non-Chinese automakers. In this traditional ranking, nine Chinese carmakers are among the top 25 in 2025, but only two Chinese carmakers are among the top 10: BYD and Geely.
- If we now include the production of non-Chinese models by Chinese carmakers in the figures for Chinese carmakers, the ranking is significantly different. This time, nine Chinese carmakers are still among the Top 25 in 2025, but four Chinese carmakers are among the Top 10 in 2025. These are BYD and Geely , of course, but also SAIC and FAW, which assemble many non-Chinese cars under license, such as Volkswagen, Audi, Toyota, and GM.
- Since these figures were also deducted from the figures for non-Chinese carmakers in this second ranking, the Volkswagen Group is no longer the second-largest automaker in the world but the third, behind Toyota and Hyundai-Kia. And the GM Group is no longer the fourth-largest automaker in the world but the tenth, behind Ford and FAW. Stellantis, whose production is very limited in China, finds itself in fourth position, behind the Volkswagen Group. Similarly, Suzuki, whose production is also very limited in China, finds itself ahead of Honda.