TOKYO (Reuters) -Toyota Motor’s global sales rose for a fifth straight month in May, setting a record for the month, as strong demand in markets such as the U.S. held firm despite President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the automaker said on Friday.
Worldwide sales climbed 6.9% year-on-year to 898,721 vehicles in May, driven by robust demand in North America, China and Japan, the company said. Sales in the U.S. went up by almost 11%.
However, Toyota’s global vehicle production edged down 0.7% year-on-year in May, the first drop in five months, due to fewer operating days in Japan, the automaker said.
The production and sales figures also include Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus.
The upbeat sales numbers come even as Japan’s auto sector faces mounting pressure from U.S. trade measures.
Tokyo is scrambling to secure an exemption for its automakers from the 25% U.S. auto tariffs, which have dealt a heavy blow to the country’s manufacturing sector.
Trade data released last week showed Japan’s exports, hit by the sweeping U.S. tariffs, fell for the first time in eight months in May, with automobile shipments to the U.S. plunging 24.7% and auto parts exports sliding 19%.
Meanwhile, Japan also faces a looming 24% “reciprocal” tariff set to take effect on July 9 unless a deal is reached with Washington.
(Reporting by Satoshi Sugiyama; Editing by Sumana Nandy)
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