Is Toyota American or Japanese?
Toyota is Japanese. The company was founded in Japan and remains headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, though it operates extensively in the United States as part of its global footprint.
Origins and global branding
Toyota Motor Corporation traces its roots to the auto division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works. The automotive unit was spun off in 1937 to form Toyota Motor Co., in Japan, and the company has kept its headquarters in Japan ever since. Toyota’s branding and corporate governance are centered in Japan, and its luxury division, Lexus, was introduced in 1989 as a way to compete in global markets, including the United States.
Japanese identity and corporate structure
While it operates globally, Toyota’s corporate identity remains rooted in Japan. The parent company is Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), based in Aichi Prefecture, and the majority of governance and strategic direction originate there.
Here are the essential pillars that underline Toyota's Japanese identity:
- Founded in 1937 as a spinoff of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in Japan
- Headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
- Parent company: Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange
- Strong corporate culture and management practices rooted in Japanese business traditions
These factors reflect Toyota's roots, even as the company operates as a global automaker with a significant presence outside Japan.
American footprint
America is a major part of Toyota's global business. The company runs a substantial presence across the United States, from manufacturing to sales and research and development.
Here are the main ways Toyota maintains its American presence:
- Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) oversees sales, marketing, and operations for the United States and Canada, coordinating customer support and product planning.
- Several manufacturing and engine facilities operate in the United States, including major assembly plants and suppliers that support U.S. production and the local economy.
- The Lexus brand, Toyota's luxury division, has a large dealer network and model lineup in the United States.
- Toyota's securities are publicly traded on multiple markets, including Toyota Motor Corporation ADRs trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker TM, reflecting U.S. investor access to a Japanese company.
In practice, the U.S. operations are run through TMNA and its regional subsidiaries, while the parent company remains Japanese.
Ownership and corporate identity
Despite its substantial American footprint, Toyota remains a Japanese company at its core. It is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and, through ADRs on the New York Stock Exchange, accessible to U.S. investors. The decision-making and most of the leadership remain centered in Japan, even as the company embraces a global market.
Summary
Bottom line: Toyota is Japanese in origin and corporate identity, with a large and ongoing American presence. It operates as a global automaker with major U.S. manufacturing, sales, and research operations while maintaining its headquarters and primary governance in Japan.
Are Toyotas American made?
Yes, many Toyotas are American-made, with numerous vehicles like the Camry, RAV4, Tundra, and Highlander assembled in U.S. factories by American workers using locally sourced parts. However, Toyota is a Japanese company, and some models and parts are designed and built elsewhere, such as Japan and Mexico.
Vehicles made in the USA
- Toyota Camry: Assembled in Kentucky.
- Toyota RAV4: Assembled in Kentucky.
- Toyota Tundra: Assembled in Texas.
- Toyota Highlander: Assembled in Indiana.
- Toyota Sequoia: Assembled in Texas.
- Toyota Sienna: Assembled in Indiana.
- Toyota Corolla: Assembled in Mississippi.
Vehicles and parts made elsewhere
- Toyota 4Runner: Built in Japan.
- Toyota Tacoma: While some production has happened in the U.S., most production for the North American market since late 2021 has been in Mexico.
- Design: While there are some design and engineering centers in the U.S., a significant portion of Toyota's design and management is based in Japan.
Do Japanese cars last longer than American cars?
Yes, Japanese Cars Last Longer!
An extensive study conducted by the Curtis Laws Wilson Library demonstrates that Japanese cars are generally more long-lived than their American and European counterparts. The average life expectancy of an automobile is about 8 years, or about 150,000 miles.
What car is 100% made in America?
No car sold in the U.S. is entirely made in America using only parts made in America. Not one single vehicle. Many vehicles from American companies, like Ford, Chevy, and Stellantis (which owns brands like Jeep and Ram), are assembled in Canada and Mexico.
When did Toyota become American?
Toyota officially entered the American market in 1957 when it established its North American headquarters in Hollywood, California. The first vehicles, the Toyopet Crown sedan and Land Cruiser, were sold to 287 customers in 1958.
- 1957: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. was established in Hollywood, California.
- 1958: The first Toyopet Crown sedans and Land Cruisers were sold in the U.S.
- 1960s: After initial challenges, Toyota shifted focus to more successful models like the Corona and focused on the durable Land Cruiser.
- 1972: Toyota opened its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Long Beach, California.
