Is Toyota Avalon made in Japan?

Not in the modern era. Contemporary Toyota Avalon sedans sold in North America are predominantly built in the United States, while earlier generations were produced in Japan. The current production footprint reflects Toyota’s regional manufacturing strategy, with Kentucky as the primary U.S. site.

Where the Avalon is built: a quick production history

To understand where the Avalon comes from, it helps to look at its manufacturing history and how the model has shifted between continents over time.

Historical production patterns

In the automobile’s early years, some Avalons were assembled in Japan for the domestic market and select exports. As the model evolved and aligned with the Camry platform for the North American market, production gradually shifted toward U.S. facilities.

• Early Avalons were assembled in Japan for the domestic market and certain export markets.


• Beginning in the 2000s and especially for later generations, North American Avalons have been produced in U.S. plants, with a focus on Kentucky.

This shift mirrors Toyota’s broader strategy to place production where demand is strongest, while leveraging shared platforms across regions.

Current production footprint in the United States

The vast majority of Avalons sold in North America are built at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant, which also produces the Camry and related models for the U.S. market.

• Georgetown, Kentucky: Primary assembly site for North American Avalon units.


• Regional distribution: Vehicles are shipped to dealers across the United States and Canada.


• Other regional outputs: In some cases, regional variants may be produced at other plants, but the U.S.-built Avalon is the standard for the North American market.

In practice, this means the Avalon you see on American roads is overwhelmingly made in the United States.

What this means for buyers

For car shoppers, the country of manufacture can influence perceptions of quality, delivery times, and potential incentives. For the Avalon, the practical takeaway is that most available units are produced in the United States, with historical notes about Japan-origin production mainly applying to older generations.

Key takeaways about production origin and its practical impact on buyers:



1. Most Avalons sold in North America are domestically assembled in the United States, primarily at the Georgetown, Kentucky plant.


2. Japan-origin production exists in the historical record for earlier generations, but is not representative of the current lineup.


3. Manufacturing location tends to have limited effect on daily ownership quality, since Toyota enforces consistent quality standards across its global plants.

Overall, buyers today are most likely purchasing a U.S.-made Avalon, with the historical footprint of Japan-based production mainly of interest to enthusiasts or researchers looking at legacy models.

Summary

The Toyota Avalon has a mixed production heritage, but in today’s market, it is primarily manufactured in the United States. Modern Avalons sold in North America come from Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant, while earlier generations were built in Japan. This shift reflects broader regional manufacturing strategies and platform sharing within Toyota, aligning production with demand and logistics rather than with a single country of origin for all generations.

Where is Toyota Avalon made?

Toyota Avalons were manufactured in Georgetown, Kentucky, at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK) plant. The final model year was 2022, and production of the Avalon ceased after the last fifth-generation models rolled off the assembly line at the Georgetown plant, as reported by Driving.ca and HotCars. 

• Primary manufacturing location: Georgetown, Kentucky, USA. 
• Production history: The Avalon was designed and engineered in the U.S. and has been exclusively produced at the TMMK plant since its introduction in 1994. 
• Model year: Production of the Avalon ended after the 2022 model year. 

Are avalons made in Japan?

- Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK): Located in Georgetown, Kentucky, TMMK is Toyota's largest production facility outside of Japan. It produces popular models such as the Toyota Camry, Toyota Avalon, and Toyota RAV4.

Which Toyota models are built in Japan?

Several Toyota models, including the Mirai, 86, Land Cruiser, and 4Runner, are exclusively made in Japan. Other models like the Prius, Camry, Corolla, and RAV4 are also produced in Japan, though some versions of these vehicles may also be made in other countries like the USA. 
Exclusively or primarily made in Japan 

• 4Runner: Built in Japan at the Tahara or Hino plants.
• 86: Exclusively made in Japan.
• Land Cruiser: Exclusively made in Japan.
• Mirai: Exclusively made in Japan.
• Century: Made in Japan.
• GR Corolla and GR Yaris: Built in Japan.
• Crown: Various versions are manufactured in Japan.
• Noah and Voxy: Made in Japan.
• Prius: Exclusively or primarily made in Japan for certain markets, with the hybrid models being a key example. 

Made in Japan and other countries 

• Camry: Produced in Japan and the USA; some trim levels (like AWD and V6) are made in the US, while some hybrid versions are built in Japan. 
• Corolla: Manufactured in both Japan and the USA, depending on the model and market. Japan-made Corolla Hybrids are a prominent example. 
• RAV4: Produced in Japan and the USA. The RAV4 Prime (plug-in hybrid) is exclusively built in Japan. 
• Harrier: Produced in Japan. 
• Corolla Cross: Produced in Japan. 

How to check if a Toyota was built in Japan

• VIN number: The 11th digit of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) indicates the assembly plant. If it is the letter "J," the vehicle was assembled in Japan. 

Which Toyotas are not made in Japan?

Although Toyota is a Japanese company, it builds many of its vehicles in American factories. Here's where some of the most popular models are made: Georgetown, Kentucky: Camry, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES. Princeton, Indiana: Sienna, Highlander, Grand Highlander.