Does Toyota make their own car parts?
Toyota makes some parts in-house, but it relies heavily on a broad network of suppliers for most components. Core systems like engines and certain powertrains are typically produced within Toyota or its closely linked affiliates, while a large share of other parts come from a global supplier base within the Toyota Group and from independent vendors.
To understand how Toyota sources its components, it’s helpful to look at the balance between in-house production and external sourcing, and how the company manages quality, cost, and resilience across continents. Toyota’s approach combines internal manufacturing with long-standing supplier partnerships under the framework of the Toyota Production System (TPS) to maintain consistency and efficiency across its global lineup.
In-house production and Toyota Group affiliates
Below are the areas where Toyota tends to produce parts in-house or through tightly integrated group affiliates. The emphasis is on core systems and key components that underpin the vehicle’s performance and safety.
- Engines and major powertrains, developed and built within Toyota facilities or by closely integrated group operations
- Transmissions and certain drivetrain components produced by Toyota Group affiliates, such as AISIN Seiki
- Body-in-white components and certain stamping/forming ops at Toyota plants or within the group’s manufacturing network
- Interior components including seats and trim supplied by Toyota Group companies such as Toyota Boshoku (Toyota Boshoku is a major group supplier)
- Electronic modules and sensors produced by group partners like Denso, a long-time Toyota affiliate that supplies many control units and subsystems
These in-house or affiliate-produced parts reflect Toyota’s strategy to maintain high quality and tight control over critical systems, while leveraging the efficiencies of its longstanding supplier ecosystem. The exact split can vary by model, region, and production period, but the pattern remains a mix of internal manufacturing and affiliated production for core components.
Parts sourced from external suppliers
The majority of non-core components and many specialized parts are sourced from a wide network of independent suppliers and non-affiliated firms. This broader supply base helps Toyota localize production, manage costs, and access specialized capabilities worldwide. The list below highlights the nature of external sourcing.
- Non-core components such as many electronic modules, software, infotainment systems, and ADAS hardware from independent Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers
- Braking systems, tires, and various exterior and body components sourced from external manufacturers or non-affiliated specialists
- Regionally localized components to support manufacturing in North America, Europe, Asia, and other markets
- Vehicle electronics, sensors, and camera systems often sourced from external suppliers outside the Toyota Group
In this external-sourcing approach, Toyota maintains rigorous supplier development programs, procurement standards, and quality controls to ensure safety, reliability, and performance across its global product lineup. The company’s supply chain is designed to balance cost efficiency with resilience, particularly in the face of global disruptions.
How Toyota manages quality and resilience
Key to Toyota’s model is the Toyota Production System (TPS), which emphasizes just-in-time manufacturing, waste reduction, and close collaboration with suppliers. The system fosters long-term supplier relationships, joint problem-solving, and consistent quality across all components—whether produced in-house or sourced externally. By combining in-house capabilities for critical components with a robust external supply base, Toyota aims to maintain reliability, control costs, and respond to regional demand shifts.
Summary
Toyota uses a blended approach: it produces a substantial share of the most critical parts—engines, major powertrains, and key components—within its own facilities or through closely integrated group affiliates. The rest of the vehicle parts come from a broad, multilateral network of suppliers, both within the Toyota Group and independent firms, enabling local production and specialization. This hybrid model has been a hallmark of Toyota’s manufacturing philosophy, balancing control over core technologies with the agility of a diverse supplier ecosystem.
What company does Toyota use for parts?
Toyota parts are made by Toyota and its approved suppliers, which include major group companies like Aisin and Denso, as well as other trusted partners. The parts are produced to meet Toyota's specific engineering standards, ensuring they are an exact fit for the vehicles.
Key manufacturers
- Denso: A member of the Toyota Group, Denso manufactures many electronics and components for Toyota, including spark plugs, engine control modules, and sensors.
- Aisin: Another group company, Aisin, is a major supplier of mechanical parts, including transmissions and water pump kits.
- Other suppliers: Toyota also works with other partners for specific parts, such as Toyoda Gosei for interior and exterior parts, and Toyota Industries Corporation for components like air conditioning compressors.
Part types
- Genuine Toyota parts: These are original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts made by Toyota or its approved suppliers to meet Toyota's exact specifications.
- Aftermarket parts: These are made by third-party companies not directly associated with Toyota. While some aftermarket parts can be of high quality, they may not be an exact fit and often come with different warranty terms.
Does Toyota manufacture their own parts?
Yes, Toyota both makes its own parts and sources many parts from suppliers, which is typical for large automakers. Toyota designs and manufactures core components like engines and transmissions in its own facilities, and uses its own manufacturing and quality standards for parts that are sold as "Genuine Toyota Parts". For other parts, such as fuel injectors or even more complex components like climate control systems, it relies on approved third-party suppliers to ensure the final vehicle is assembled with all the necessary pieces.
- Core components: Toyota produces major parts internally. For example, Toyota Industries Corporation manufactures engines and turbochargers, and Toyota has plants in the US that assemble engines and transmissions.
- Supplier-made parts: Toyota contracts with hundreds of suppliers for other components like upholstery, tires, and windshields. These suppliers often adhere to Toyota's specifications and quality control, ensuring the parts are genuine and meet the company's standards.
- Just-in-Time production: The company's famous "Just-in-Time" production system relies on strong collaboration with these suppliers, with parts delivered to assembly plants only when needed. This close working relationship ensures that all parts fit together perfectly and are ready for the final assembly stage.
Are any cars 100% American made?
No new car sold in the U.S. is 100% American-made, because no single vehicle is built using only American parts. The modern automotive supply chain is too globalized, and it's impossible to find a car with 100% domestic content. However, some models have a much higher percentage of American and Canadian parts and assembly than others, and are considered "the most American".
- Global supply chains: The complexity of building a modern car means parts come from all over the world, not just the U.S.
- "American-made" is not 100%: Even iconic American brands like Ford and Chevrolet use parts from other countries, and foreign brands like Toyota and Honda have models assembled in the U.S.
- Most American cars: Some cars are considered "most American" based on metrics like the percentage of parts from the U.S. and Canada and final assembly location. For example, Tesla models are assembled in the U.S. and have a high percentage of North American parts.
- Official labeling: The window sticker on new cars in the U.S. includes information about the vehicle's domestic parts content, which is a good indicator of how "American" a car is.
- No "tariff-free" vehicles: It's practically impossible to make a vehicle completely tariff-free because the raw materials and many components for parts are not all sourced from U.S. suppliers.
Where does Toyota get parts?
Toyota parts come from a global network of suppliers and manufacturing plants, with many parts initially sourced from Japan but eventually produced by suppliers in the regions where the vehicles are assembled to reduce costs and shipping times. A vast number of companies, both large and small, provide parts for Toyota, including those that make specific components like engines, transmissions, body panels, and even smaller items like screws and bolts.
Global and regional sourcing
- Japan: While Toyota has a massive global presence, many new models and core components still originate from Japan.
- North America: Toyota has numerous manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada that are supplied by regional and domestic part suppliers, such as those for plants in Kentucky, Indiana, and Texas.
- Other regions: Toyota also has manufacturing operations and parts suppliers in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
- Joint ventures: Toyota also partners with joint venture factories in various countries, which are often shared or licensed facilities that build parts and components.
Supplier types
- Large suppliers: Major companies like Denso and Gates supply a wide range of parts, including engines, electrical components, and transmissions.
- Specialty suppliers: Smaller companies often specialize in specific parts, such as those that supply shock absorbers (like KYB or Hitachi) or sound-insulating materials.
- Common parts: Parts like fasteners (bolts, screws, nuts) are often contracted out to a large number of suppliers, many of which are domestic to the region where the vehicle is being assembled.
How it works
- Major auto companies, including Toyota, design vehicles but contract out the manufacturing of individual components to numerous specialized suppliers.
- Toyota maintains quality control over these suppliers to ensure safety and reliability.
- For genuine Toyota parts, the process is that the parts are first provided to Toyota, then boxed with the Toyota brand, and sent to distribution warehouses before reaching dealers and customers.
