Quick Takeaways
- Toyota China sales increased 6.6% year-over-year in January 2026, marking a return to growth momentum.
- Honda extended its sales decline streak while Nissan recorded a double-digit rebound supported by HarmonySpace models.
Three major Japanese automakers have released their January 2026 performance data, with Toyota China sales drawing particular attention after returning to year-over-year growth in the world’s largest automotive market. The latest January 2026 car sales China figures reveal contrasting trajectories for Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, reflecting shifting consumer demand patterns, semiconductor supply constraints, and the accelerating deployment of intelligent cockpit platforms such as HarmonySpace.
The rebound in Toyota China sales indicates strengthening retail momentum, supported by stable output from joint ventures and resilient demand across high-volume sedan and MPV segments.
Among its key nameplates, the Camry recorded a 17% y/y sales increase, while the Sienna surged 35% y/y, underscoring continued consumer preference for mid-size sedans and premium MPVs despite intensifying competition and pricing pressure in China’s passenger vehicle market.
Toyota is set to strengthen its electrification roadmap with the planned March introduction of the bZ7. This model will become GAC Toyota’s first battery electric sedan integrated with Huawei’s HarmonySpace cockpit architecture, strategically aligning the brand with China’s rapidly evolving intelligent vehicle ecosystem. The integration of advanced digital cockpit solutions is increasingly influencing buyer decisions, particularly in the EV segment where connectivity, human-machine interface sophistication, and ecosystem compatibility are emerging as core differentiators.
This marks the 24th consecutive month of annual contraction for Honda China sales January 2026, highlighting sustained competitive and operational headwinds.
Although operations resumed on January 19, the disruption likely constrained dispatch volumes during the first half of the month. The semiconductor shortage China auto manufacturers continue to face remains a structural risk, particularly for OEMs dependent on globally sourced chipsets for powertrain control units, infotainment systems, and advanced driver assistance modules.
The improvement in Nissan China sales January 2026 reflects recovery momentum following a two-month pause in growth, supported by technology-enhanced variants positioned to capture digitally oriented consumers.
Positioned as the world’s first fuel vehicle model featuring the HarmonySpace cockpit, the Teana demonstrates that intelligent cabin integration is no longer confined to pure electric vehicles. Instead, smart cockpit deployment is extending into ICE-based passenger cars, influencing purchase considerations across both conventional and electrified powertrain categories.
The January 2026 car sales China results highlight diverging competitive approaches among Japanese OEMs operating in the market. Toyota capitalized on steady retail demand and advanced its EV portfolio expansion, Honda continued to manage production normalization amid supply chain volatility, and Nissan leveraged differentiated smart cockpit positioning to regain traction in one of the most competitive automotive environments globally.
Toyota China Sales Post Strong January 2026 Growth
- Toyota sold 145,500 vehicles in China in January, representing a 6.6% year-over-year increase and marking another expansion phase after a five-month gap without annual growth.
The rebound in Toyota China sales indicates strengthening retail momentum, supported by stable output from joint ventures and resilient demand across high-volume sedan and MPV segments.
- GAC Toyota contributed 63,648 units during the month, also delivering positive year-over-year performance.
Among its key nameplates, the Camry recorded a 17% y/y sales increase, while the Sienna surged 35% y/y, underscoring continued consumer preference for mid-size sedans and premium MPVs despite intensifying competition and pricing pressure in China’s passenger vehicle market.
Electrification and Smart Cockpit Expansion
Toyota is set to strengthen its electrification roadmap with the planned March introduction of the bZ7. This model will become GAC Toyota’s first battery electric sedan integrated with Huawei’s HarmonySpace cockpit architecture, strategically aligning the brand with China’s rapidly evolving intelligent vehicle ecosystem. The integration of advanced digital cockpit solutions is increasingly influencing buyer decisions, particularly in the EV segment where connectivity, human-machine interface sophistication, and ecosystem compatibility are emerging as core differentiators.
Honda China Sales Extend Decline Amid Production Disruptions
- Honda reported January sales of 57,489 units, down 16.5% year-over-year.
This marks the 24th consecutive month of annual contraction for Honda China sales January 2026, highlighting sustained competitive and operational headwinds.
- Three GAC Honda plants suspended production at the end of December 2025 due to semiconductor shortages.
Although operations resumed on January 19, the disruption likely constrained dispatch volumes during the first half of the month. The semiconductor shortage China auto manufacturers continue to face remains a structural risk, particularly for OEMs dependent on globally sourced chipsets for powertrain control units, infotainment systems, and advanced driver assistance modules.
Nissan China Sales Rebound with HarmonySpace Models
- Nissan reported January sales of 50,024 units, up 10.1% year-over-year.
The improvement in Nissan China sales January 2026 reflects recovery momentum following a two-month pause in growth, supported by technology-enhanced variants positioned to capture digitally oriented consumers.
Teana HarmonySpace Drives Momentum
- A total of 6,724 units of the Teana sedan equipped with Huawei’s HarmonySpace cockpit were delivered in January, up 22% y/y.
Positioned as the world’s first fuel vehicle model featuring the HarmonySpace cockpit, the Teana demonstrates that intelligent cabin integration is no longer confined to pure electric vehicles. Instead, smart cockpit deployment is extending into ICE-based passenger cars, influencing purchase considerations across both conventional and electrified powertrain categories.
The January 2026 car sales China results highlight diverging competitive approaches among Japanese OEMs operating in the market. Toyota capitalized on steady retail demand and advanced its EV portfolio expansion, Honda continued to manage production normalization amid supply chain volatility, and Nissan leveraged differentiated smart cockpit positioning to regain traction in one of the most competitive automotive environments globally.
Company Press Release
Click above to visit the official source.
Share: