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Auto suppliers in Japan - statistics & facts

A car is more than merely the sum of its parts – it is the product. Japanese automotive suppliers often invoke monozukuri, ascribing "manufacturing craft" to mass-produced auto parts. Yet, living up to the reputation for price performance has become exceptionally challenging for Japanese manufacturers. Reticent vehicle sales suggest the COVID-19 pandemic has longer-lasting effects than initially hoped. Disrupted supply chains hamstring Japanese carmakers from their subcontractors, undermining the high demand for passenger cars. On top, soaring energy prices exacerbated by Russia’s war on Ukraine threaten profitability. However, the pivotal dilemma might be to adjust products to electric vehicles.

Japanese leaders and their retinue

As Japanese car brands are inherently intertwined with their suppliers, the auto part market resembles that of the automakers. Accordingly, Japanese production satisfies domestic demand, imports are minuscule, exports are substantial, and overseas production of major suppliers roughly equals domestic production value. Toyota is the leading automotive manufacturer (worldwide), generating immense demand for parts - five of the ten leading Japanese auto suppliers are Toyota Group companies. These original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and an entourage of thousands of reliable tier-one to tier-three suppliers ensure global success. This pyramid-like model outlines the number of companies and their interdependency. While tier-three suppliers below are countless, overwhelmingly small- and medium-sized, OEM and tier-one suppliers comprise a few, mostly large-size enterprises, often wholly or partially owned by the brands. This structure also encapsulates a business-to-business approach, where sales on the aftermarket, especially to private customers, are of minor significance.

Electrification: Millstone or milestone for auto suppliers?

Although ties in Japan’s automotive industry are strong, not all companies are impacted equally by the global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). Naturally, those dealing with internal combustion engine (ICE) parts are in a tighter spot, encouraging a more decisive response to the EV shift. Besides, battery electric vehicles have only recently starred in Japanese carmakers’ announcements. As OEMs are beacons for the supplying industry, the weak resonance to EVs from suppliers is unsurprising. Many prioritize managing the increase of orders for ICE cars, which is likely to persist in countries where the (charging) infrastructure or climate impedes the spread of EVs. Moreover, the latest crises have smothered revenue, discouraging investments by parts suppliers in widely needed research and development (R&D). Regardless, it seems inevitable for auto parts suppliers to adapt to EV policies - independently or in alliances when they lack the resources. Fortunately, the automotive industries’ overall R&D expenditures paint a more encouraging picture.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Alexandru Arba, Oct 15, 2022

Key insights

Global car production of Japanese brands
23.44m
Auto parts production value
7.75tr JPY
Employees engaged at auto parts factories
419.6k
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