Where are Toyota parts built?
Toyota parts are built worldwide through a global network of plants and suppliers, with major operations in Japan and extensive manufacturing in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
The company relies on the Toyota Production System and a broad ecosystem of Tier 1 suppliers to produce engines, transmissions, bodies, electronics, and other components. As of the latest available information, Toyota and its suppliers operate manufacturing facilities in more than 25 countries, with production localized near key markets to reduce lead times and transportation costs. The exact plant lineup changes over time as new facilities come online and others are retooled or consolidated, but the global footprint remains expansive and interconnected.
A global manufacturing footprint
Toyota’s parts and vehicles are produced in a widely distributed network that spans several regions. Below is a region-by-region look at how the company organizes its manufacturing and sourcing of components.
Japan
Japan remains the company’s historical engineering and production hub. In-country plants manufacture engines, transmissions, stamping, and final assembly for both domestic models and export. The Japanese manufacturing network also serves as a center for continuous improvement and development of the Toyota Production System (TPS), which informs operations worldwide.
Americas
In the Americas, Toyota operates multiple assembly plants to serve regional demand, along with facilities that produce engines, transmissions, and other components. Notable sites include the long-standing Georgetown, Kentucky assembly plant and other regional facilities that help localize production for North and South American markets. This regional approach helps minimize shipping times and respond to market needs more quickly.
Europe
Europe hosts several plants that assemble vehicles for the continent and neighboring regions, as well as facilities that produce powertrains and components. The European network emphasizes regional sourcing and compliance with local regulations, while integrating with the broader TPS-based production system.
Asia-Pacific (outside Japan)
Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) is a major hub for both vehicle assembly and component production. Toyota operates plants in countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, India, and China, among others, producing everything from small cars to SUVs and providing regional parts supply to support markets across Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Africa
Africa hosts manufacturing activity through Toyota South Africa Motors and related supply chains that produce vehicles and key components for the African market, reflecting the company’s strategy of regionalized production to improve accessibility and serviceability on the continent.
South America
South America includes plants that manufacture vehicles and components for local customers, with regional suppliers contributing to a localized parts network. This helps Toyota respond to regional preferences and regulatory requirements while maintaining global quality standards.
How Toyota organizes its parts production
Toyota combines in-house production capacity with a broad network of suppliers to deliver components. The company relies on a balanced mix of Toyota-owned plants and Tier 1 suppliers to manufacture engines, transmissions, chassis components, electronics, and body parts. Key supplier partners in the Toyota ecosystem include Denso, Aisin Seiki, JTEKT, and other global manufacturers that align with TPS principles—emphasizing just-in-time delivery, quality control, and continuous improvement (kaizen).
This global-to-local approach enables Toyota to localize sourcing near major markets, reduce logistics costs, and maintain consistent quality across regions. The network is continually adjusted in response to demand shifts, regulatory changes, and technological advances, ensuring that parts compatibility and performance stay aligned with global standards.
What this means for consumers
For buyers and owners, the origin of a specific part can vary by model, year, and region. Some components are produced locally to the market, while others come from facilities in other countries within Toyota’s global network. The company’s emphasis on standardized quality and cross-regional collaboration helps ensure consistency across vehicles sold worldwide, even as production sites evolve.
In practice, your Toyota vehicle’s parts may come from a mix of production sites across Japan and abroad. The network’s ongoing evolution aims to optimize cost, efficiency, and serviceability while upholding the high standards associated with the Toyota brand.
Summary
Toyota’s parts are built through a comprehensive global network that originates in Japan and extends to the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and beyond. This mix of in-house plants and extensive supplier partnerships supports localized production near markets, reliable quality control through the Toyota Production System, and a resilient supply chain designed to adapt to changing demand and regulatory landscapes.
Where are Toyota parts made?
There are a total of sixteen Toyota-owned factories in Japan. All but three of these are located in or near Toyota City, while the others are located in Kyushu, Hokkaido and northern Honshu. Electronically controlled brake actuators (ABS, ECB), axles, torque converters, etc.
Are Toyotas 100% made in America?
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.
Does Toyota use Chinese parts?
Yes, Toyota uses parts from China for its vehicles, a strategy that has increased in recent years to lower costs, according to this Automotive News article, this Reuters article, and this 36Kr article. These parts can be from either Chinese companies or Japanese companies with manufacturing operations in China. Toyota sources parts from a diversified global supply chain, including components from China, to meet production needs and reduce costs.
- Cost reduction: Toyota is actively using Chinese parts in an effort to lower production costs by up to 30% on certain models.
- Specific examples:
- Toyota is sourcing parts from Chinese suppliers like Yuefei New Materials for a new EV to be built in Thailand.
- Toyota has encouraged Japanese manufacturers to use Chinese-made products, such as molds from Zhejiang Kaihua Mould and resin materials from Kingfa Science & Technology.
- Supply chain diversification: China is a significant part of Toyota's global parts supply chain, which also includes suppliers from Japan, North America, and Europe.
How do I know if my Toyota is Japan or USA built?
You can tell if your Toyota is built in Japan or the USA by checking the first character of the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN); 'J' indicates Japan, while '1', '4', or '5' indicate the USA. The VIN can be found on the driver-side dashboard or door jamb.
Method 1: Check the VIN
- Locate the VIN: Find the 17-character VIN on the dashboard (visible through the windshield) or on the sticker on the driver's side door jamb.
- Examine the first character: Look at the very first letter of the VIN.
- 'J': The vehicle was assembled in Japan.
- '1', '4', or '5': The vehicle was assembled in the United States.
- Other country codes: For your reference, other common codes are: '2' for Canada, and '3' for Mexico.
Method 2: Check the window sticker (if available)
- Find the original sticker: If you have the original window sticker, also known as the Monroney label, look for a section that states the "Final Assembly Point" or "Country of Origin".
Method 3: Check the 11th digit for specific models (e.g., RAV4)
- For certain models, such as the RAV4, the 11th digit of the VIN can also specify the assembly plant. An 'A' or 'T' can indicate an American plant, while 'J' can indicate a Japanese plant.
