Is the Honda CR-V made in Japan?

The Honda CR-V is not made exclusively in Japan; production is distributed across several countries to serve regional markets.

While Honda designs and develops the CR-V in Japan, the actual assembly for many regions happens abroad. In practice, most CR-Vs sold in North America are built in North American plants, Chinese-market models are produced in China, and some Japan-market units are built domestically in Japan. The exact manufacturing site varies by model year and market, reflecting Honda’s global production network.

Where the CR-V is built

Below is a snapshot of the primary production regions for recent CR-V generations and markets. This overview reflects how Honda staffs its manufacturing footprint to meet regional demand.

• North America — United States and Canada (CR-Vs sold in these markets are primarily assembled in North American plants).


• China — CR-V models for the Chinese market are produced by a Honda joint venture in China (GAC Honda).


• Japan — Some CR-Vs for the domestic Japanese market are produced in Japan.


• Other regions — European and other markets typically source units from regional plants or from the above hubs, depending on model year and supply arrangements.

The production footprint of the CR-V can shift with new generations, market demand, and supply-chain considerations. Always verify the exact origin for a specific vehicle using official sources or the VIN.

How to verify the manufacturing origin of your CR-V

To confirm the country or plant where your own CR-V was made, use the following methods and indicators.

• VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) — The first character indicates the country/region of manufacture, and the 11th character identifies the manufacturing plant. Cross-referencing these codes with Honda’s VIN decode resources can reveal the origin of your car.


• Window sticker / Monroney label — The label often states where the vehicle was “Made in” or “Assembled in,” which may reflect the plant or country of origin.


• Dealer or Honda customer portal — Official databases or dealership records can confirm the production site for a specific VIN.

Knowing the origin can impact understanding of supply, pricing, and potential regional features or options. If in doubt, contact a Honda dealer with your VIN for precise confirmation.

Summary

In short, the Honda CR-V is not exclusively made in Japan. Honda distributes CR-V production across multiple plants worldwide to serve different markets, with North American models generally produced in North America, China-made versions for China, and domestic Japan production for Japan-bound units. Always check the VIN or window sticker to confirm the exact origin of a specific vehicle.

Are Honda motors made in Japan?

Though based in Japan, Honda owns manufacturing plants across the globe, including plants in India, England, Belgium, Argentina, Brazil, and China!

Where is the Honda CR-V made?

The Honda CR-V is manufactured in North America, with production sites in the United States and Canada. It is built in Greensburg, Indiana and East Liberty, Ohio in the U.S., and also in Alliston, Ontario, Canada.
 

• United States: The CR-V is produced at the Greensburg, Indiana plant and the East Liberty, Ohio plant. 
• Canada: The Honda of Canada Mfg. facility in Alliston, Ontario is the global lead plant for the CR-V. 

Is the Honda CR-V made in Japan?

While the Honda CR-V was introduced in Japan, most CR-Vs are now manufactured in global plants, including those in the United States (Ohio and Indiana) and Canada. Some specialized or imported models may be made in Japan, but the majority of CR-Vs sold in regions like North America are built in other countries.
 
This video discusses a Honda CR-V that was imported from Japan: 57sThe Drivers HubYouTube · Jun 10, 2025
CR-V production locations

• Japan: The first-generation CR-V was introduced in Japan in 1995 and it remains a production site for some models, says a Honda Global article. 
• United States: Many CR-Vs sold in North America are built in plants in East Liberty, Ohio, and Greensburg, Indiana. 
• Canada: Alliston, Ontario, is another production site for the CR-V. 
• Other locations: Honda also produces the CR-V in various other countries, including the United Kingdom, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia. 

You can watch this video to learn about where CR-Vs are made, including their parts sourcing: 57sThe Car Guy OnlineYouTube · Mar 25, 2025
How to tell where your CR-V was made

• Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The 11th character of the VIN indicates the plant where the vehicle was assembled. 
• If the VIN starts with 'J', the vehicle was made in Japan.
• If the VIN starts with '1' or '4', it was made in the United States. 
• If the VIN starts with '2', it was made in Canada. 
• If the VIN starts with '3', it was made in Mexico. 

How do you tell where your Honda CR-V is made?

The VIN number will tell you where your car was made, who manufactured it, vehicle-brand, engine size, year of the car, what plant assembled it and more!