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 US held firm despite President Donald Trump's tariffs, the automaker said on Friday.
Worldwide sales climbed 6.9 per cent 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 US. went up by almost 11 per cent.
However, Toyota's global vehicle production edged down 0.7 per cent 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 US trade measures.
Tokyo is scrambling to secure an exemption for its automakers from the 25 per cent US 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 US tariffs, fell for the first time in eight months in May, with automobile shipments to the US plunging 24.7 per cent and auto parts exports sliding 19 per cent.
Meanwhile, Japan also faces a looming 24 per cent "reciprocal" tariff set to take effect on July 9 unless a deal is reached with Washington.