- Suzuki tasks automobile gross sales will bounce by 7.1 % to three.55 million models throughout the 2026 fiscal 12 months.
- Honda estimates a minor improve to three.39 million.
- Suzuki got here near beating Honda throughout the earlier fiscal 12 months.
We don’t get to speak about Suzuki as usually as we must always. A part of the reason being that the final time its automobiles have been accessible in the US, Motor1 was nonetheless referred to as WorldCarFans. Whereas the corporate maintains a robust presence in Europe, the web’s favourite small off-roader is gone attributable to stringent emissions rules.
In fact, there’s extra to the world than North America, and the Jimny’s withdrawal from European markets is barely a part of the image. Enterprise is booming for Suzuki in India. Out of the three.32 million autos bought throughout the 2025 fiscal 12 months that ended on March 31, 2026, a whopping 1.86 million models have been delivered to individuals dwelling on this planet’s most populous nation. Meaning a little bit over 56 % of all automobiles Suzuki bought within the earlier fiscal 12 months ended up in India.
Globally, Suzuki’s gross sales rose by 2.4 %. For the 2026 fiscal 12 months ending on March 31, 2027, the carmaker tasks deliveries will climb an extra 7.1 %. If the corporate’s estimates show correct, whole car gross sales will attain 3.55 million.
2027 Honda Perception (Japan)
Picture by: Honda
Honda Is Nonetheless Forward For Now
That brings us to Honda. Regardless of falling 8.9 % 12 months over 12 months, it nonetheless received the gross sales race in opposition to Suzuki throughout the earlier fiscal 12 months with 3.38 million models, or about 60,000 extra automobiles. Nonetheless, the outlook for the present fiscal 12 months is much less encouraging. Honda expects to stay practically flat at 3.39 million, which might give Suzuki a cushty lead.
Ought to that occur, Suzuki would grow to be Japan’s second-largest automaker, overtaking Honda for the primary time. Toyota’s primary place is just not at risk; along with Lexus, the group is anticipated to maneuver 10.5 million autos, practically 3 times Suzuki’s projected quantity. Nissan is anticipated to rank fourth with 3.3 million models, assuming a 4.7-percent year-over-year improve materializes.
In keeping with a report from Nikkei Asia, Suzuki isn’t essentially aiming to overhaul Honda within the gross sales rankings. Chatting with the media after the FY2025 outcomes have been printed, President Toshihiro Suzuki stated:
‘We’re not doing issues to grow to be No. 2. Our mission is to construct and promote automobiles that individuals will embrace. Whether or not it is Toyota, Honda or another firm, we’ll compete to assist revitalize the Indian market.’
Talking of Toyota, the world’s largest carmaker holds an almost five-percent stake in Suzuki and is not directly serving to it outpace Honda. In some markets, the 2 corporations additionally collaborate on badge-engineered fashions. For instance, the Across is actually a rebadged RAV4 in Europe. In a number of components of the world, it’s really the opposite manner round as Honda rebadges some Suzuki merchandise.
| Automaker | FY2025 Gross sales | Estimated FY2026 Gross sales |
| Honda | 3.38 million | 3.39 million |
| Suzuki | 3.32 million | 3.55 million |
Motor1’s Take: Gross sales figures don’t inform the entire story, as revenue margins and different monetary metrics matter extra to an organization’s backside line. Nonetheless, a shift within the rankings like this might have been exhausting to think about not that a few years in the past. Suzuki is capitalizing on its rising success in India, whereas Honda is restructuring its strategy after canceling a number of EV tasks on the final minute.
It’s an actual disgrace Suzuki isn’t planning a U.S. return, particularly contemplating there’s a bigger five-door Jimny accessible in different markets. With off-roading nonetheless having fun with sturdy curiosity, a extra reasonably priced product would possible discover loads of patrons. Nonetheless, that’s simpler stated than completed, as a return would require rebuilding a seller community and tweaking the car to fulfill U.S. crash-test security rules.
