Is my Corolla made in Japan?
Yes, the Toyota Corolla is primarily manufactured in Japan. The Corolla is one of Toyota's flagship models and has been produced in Japan since its introduction in 1966.
Toyota Corolla Production Locations
While the Corolla is primarily manufactured in Japan, Toyota also produces the vehicle in several other countries around the world to meet global demand. Some of the key Corolla production locations include:
- Japan: The majority of Corollas are produced at Toyota's manufacturing facilities in Japan, including plants in Toyota City, Takaoka, and Tsutsumi.
- United States: Toyota operates Corolla production facilities in the United States, including plants in Blue Springs, Mississippi and Princeton, Indiana.
- Canada: The Corolla is also produced at Toyota's manufacturing plant in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
- Other Countries: Corollas are also assembled in countries like China, Brazil, Thailand, and Turkey to serve local and regional markets.
While the Corolla is a global model, the majority of Corollas sold in the United States and other major markets are produced in Japan, where the vehicle was originally designed and engineered.
Corolla's History and Popularity
The Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling and most popular cars in the world. First introduced in 1966, the Corolla has been in continuous production for over 50 years and has sold over 50 million units globally. The Corolla's combination of reliability, affordability, and fuel efficiency has made it a top choice for drivers around the world.
Whether your Corolla was produced in Japan or another Toyota manufacturing facility, you can be confident that it was built to the same high standards of quality and performance that have made the Corolla a global automotive icon.
How do I tell if my Toyota was made in Japan?
You can tell if your Toyota was made in Japan by checking the first character of its 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If the VIN starts with the letter 'J', the vehicle was made in Japan. Another way is to look for a sticker on the driver's side door jamb, which may state the country of manufacture.
This video explains how to locate and decode your VIN to determine the country of origin: 1mToyota Parts CenterYouTube · Jun 5, 2025
Use the VIN
- Find your VIN: The VIN is a 17-character serial number found on the driver's side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door jamb sticker, or on the vehicle's registration and insurance documents.
- Decode the first character: Look at the first letter of the VIN. A 'J' indicates the vehicle was manufactured in Japan.
- For context, other common first characters are '1' (United States), '2' (Canada), and '3' (Mexico).
Check the door jamb sticker
- Locate the sticker: Open the driver's side door and look for a sticker on the door frame or jamb.
- Find the manufacturing information: This sticker often provides details about the vehicle, including the place of manufacture.
How do I know if my car was built in Japan or the USA?
Every vehicle carries a unique 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, that holds a wealth of information—including the country where it was assembled. By checking the first character of the VIN or using a reliable online VIN decoder, you can quickly determine whether a car was built in the USA or elsewhere.
How do you tell where your Toyota was built by VIN?
Digit 11 (Assembly Plant): This tells you which factory put your vehicle together. Digits 12 - 17 (Serial or Production Number): These are Toyota's internal numbers for identifying your specific vehicle.
How do I tell if my car is from Japan?
Here is a tip: if you look at the first digit of a car's VIN, you can identify which country it comes from. If the VIN starts with the letter ``J'', it was made in Japan in the vast majority of cases. If the VIN starts with 1, 3, 4, or 5, it's made in the USA. If the VIN starts with 2, it's from Canada.
