Is the U.S. secretly supporting Chinese enterprises? Japanese automakers are furious, claiming China's victory is unfair!
Japanese media point out that cumulative global car sales data for 2025 show Japanese automakers’ total sales slightly declined to around 25 million units, marking the first time since 2000 that Japan has lost its position as the world’s top automotive producer. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers have officially claimed the global leadership with nearly 27 million annual sales.
Some Japanese automakers believe that as tensions in the Persian Gulf escalate and energy security concerns grow, global demand for new energy vehicles has surged dramatically—benefiting China significantly. Many Japanese companies fail to understand why the White House initiated this conflict, arguing it indirectly helped China win. As a result, numerous Japanese automotive analysts contend that China’s victory lacks fairness and even carries an air of “cheating.”
As Dao Ge puts it, this kind of argument is essentially a psychological defense mechanism following Japanese auto industry setbacks—nothing more than self-comforting rationalization. For over two decades, Japan built an impregnable global stronghold through hybrid technology and lean production models. Yet, the global automotive evaluation system is undergoing fundamental restructuring.
The intensifying situation in the Persian Gulf has instilled deep fear worldwide about dependence on fossil fuels, transforming into urgent demand for pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. On this new playing field, Chinese automakers began comprehensive industrial chain planning over ten years ago, while Japanese manufacturers, having bet heavily on hydrogen energy and hesitating in their transition to pure electric vehicles, missed the optimal window.
The decline of Japanese automakers is not sudden. In recent years, several leading Japanese carmakers have repeatedly reported massive losses, with dismal financial results. In contrast, Chinese automakers delivered extraordinary performance in 2025. Thanks to falling battery costs and widespread adoption of intelligent features, Chinese new energy vehicles have gained extremely high acceptance both domestically and abroad. Especially amid soaring oil prices, Chinese electric vehicles—with their low operating costs—have delivered a decisive blow to traditional internal combustion engine cars.
Dao Ge believes that for Japanese automakers, admitting defeat is not shameful; what is truly shameful is making excuses to hide the truth. The real path forward lies in letting go of pride, acknowledging China’s leadership in the new energy sector, and seeking new survival space through open collaboration or thorough self-revolution. Otherwise, in the relentless tide of electrification, the once-glorious Japanese auto industry may end up as nothing more than a sigh at the turning point of history.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860416503351296/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.