Is Honda made in Japan or China?
Honda is not produced exclusively in one country. The company operates a global manufacturing network, with plants in Japan and in China (through joint ventures) as well as facilities in the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia and elsewhere. For the Chinese market, Honda uses joint ventures with Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) and Dongfeng Motor Corporation to produce vehicles locally.
Global manufacturing footprint
Before listing the major regions where Honda builds vehicles, here is an overview of how the company distributes production around the world.
- Japan: A core research and production hub that supports global operations.
- China: Local production through two joint ventures—GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda—to serve the domestic market with locally assembled vehicles.
- North America: Production facilities in the United States and Mexico to meet regional demand and support export.
- Other regions: Manufacturing in Southeast Asia, India and various European locations to support regional sales.
- Global network: Coordinated supply chains and multi-country production to optimize cost, timing and local relevance.
Conclusion: Honda maintains a diversified global manufacturing network, with Japan as a historic base and China playing a key role for local production, complemented by facilities around the world.
Honda in China: Local production through joint ventures
To satisfy regulatory requirements and consumer demand in China, Honda operates two main joint ventures that assemble vehicles locally and support regional service networks.
- GAC Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. — a joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group that produces Honda vehicles for the Chinese market.
- Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co., Ltd. — a joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Corporation that produces Honda vehicles for China.
Conclusion: Local production via these joint ventures helps Honda tailor models to Chinese regulations and consumer tastes while supporting local employment and supply chains.
What this means for buyers
The country printed on a vehicle's label or its VIN often indicates where it was built. In China, many models are produced domestically through the GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda joint ventures, while models sold in other regions may be assembled in the United States, Japan, or other manufacturing hubs. Always check the window sticker or VIN for the exact country of manufacture.
Context and implications
Honda's strategy reflects a multi-country production approach designed to optimize tariffs, logistics and market relevance. The company continues to invest in both domestic manufacturing and regional assembly to meet demand across continents, while maintaining its engineering and design heritage in Japan.
Summary: Honda operates a global manufacturing network—not limited to Japan or China. While China hosts two major joint ventures that assemble cars locally, Honda also maintains production in Japan and across other regions to supply markets worldwide. The result is a multinational production footprint that supports local markets and international trade.
Are any Hondas made in Japan anymore?
Honda currently builds vehicles in factories located in Japan, the United States of America, Canada, China, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Belgium, Brazil, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Turkey, Argentina, Mexico, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
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.
How to tell if a Honda is US or Japan built?
It requires minimal deciphering, but the vehicle identification number, or VIN, indicates the car's production location. The first character in the VIN is part of a standardized 3-digit world manufacturer identifier or WMI. Generally, the first number or letter of the VIN signifies the vehicle's country of manufacture.
Are Hondas made in China or Japan?
So, what country is Honda made in? Though based in Japan, Honda owns manufacturing plants across the globe, including plants in India, England, Belgium, Argentina, Brazil, and China! But, if you're wondering where your Honda CR-V is made, chances are it was made right here in the United States.
