Japanese Automakers' Profits Plunge 48% as Global Auto Landscape Shifts to China

Japanese eight major automakers reported a combined 48% year-over-year decline in operating profit for FY2026, the steepest drop since the 2009 financial crisis. Meanwhile, Chinese brands' global sales share surpassed 35%, with an absolute dominance in the NEV segment. The global automotive industry's power center is accelerating its shift from traditional manufacturing giants to China—a structural transformation that carries significant implications for car buyers in Central Asia and Russia.