Are Toyota Highlanders made in the US?
Toyota’s Highlander sold in the United States is largely assembled within the United States, at a dedicated plant in Indiana. This article explains where the Highlander is produced, how that affects its “Built in USA” status, and how the model fits into Toyota’s global manufacturing footprint.
In brief, the U.S.-market Highlander is produced primarily at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana, with branding and production nuances that vary by region. We’ll detail the main U.S. site, the broader regional context, and how Japan’s domestic market handles a related model variant.
Current U.S. production site
The following section identifies the primary manufacturing location for Highlanders destined for the U.S. market.
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, LLC (TMMI) in Princeton, Indiana — the main production facility for Highlanders (including Hybrid versions) built for the U.S. market.
In practice, most Highlanders sold in the United States come off the line in Indiana, which anchors Toyota’s North American production of this model.
Global production footprint and regional variants
While the U.S.-market Highlander is produced in Indiana, Toyota’s global approach to the model includes regional branding and local production decisions that vary by market. The following subsections outline how this model is handled outside the United States and how regional naming conventions differ.
Japan and regional branding
In Japan, the model that corresponds to the Highlander is marketed as the Harrier and is produced domestically for the Japanese market. This reflects Toyota’s regional branding strategy, even though the U.S.-spec Highlander is built in Indiana. The Harrier and the U.S.-market Highlander share underlying design elements but are marketed under different names in their respective regions.
Canada and other markets
Most Highlanders sold in Canada and several North American markets are sourced from the same Indiana production line that serves the United States, ensuring consistency in supply and specifications. Exporting from Indiana helps Toyota align production with regional demand while supporting a localized supply chain.
Summary
Yes — for the U.S. market, Toyota Highlanders are predominantly made in the United States, at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana. The U.S. designation aligns with Toyota’s strategy to localize production for North American demand, while regional variations exist, such as the Harrier in Japan. Overall, Indiana is the central hub for U.S.-market Highlander production, with Canadian customers typically receiving vehicles built there as well.
