Where are Toyota Yaris manufactured?
The Toyota Yaris is produced at multiple plants around the world to serve regional markets, rather than in a single factory.
The model’s production footprint spans Europe, Asia, and North America, with different variants such as the hatchback and sedan being assembled in regional facilities. Production can shift with model updates, market demand, and regional partnerships, so the exact lineup may evolve over time.
Global production footprint
The following lists identify the major regional hubs where Yaris models are assembled to supply their respective markets.
- Europe — European Yaris production is concentrated in a pair of key sites: Valenciennes, France, and Sakarya, Turkey.
- Asia — The Yaris variant sold in Asia is produced at several regional facilities, with Japan handling domestic-market Yaris (Vitz) and Southeast Asia benefiting from factories in Thailand, plus Chinese production for local variants.
- North America — To serve the U.S. and Canadian markets, Yaris is produced at a Mexico-based Toyota plant.
These regional hubs enable Toyota to tailor Yaris offerings to local preferences while managing logistics and tariffs across markets.
Detailed regional breakdown
Europe
Europe relies on two primary production sites to assemble Yaris hatchbacks and related variants for EU buyers and nearby regions.
- Valenciennes, France — Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) produces Yaris models for the European market.
- Sakarya, Turkey — Toyota Otomotiv Sanayi (TOS) manufactures Yaris variants for Europe, the Middle East, and surrounding areas.
These operations have historically supported the European Yaris lineup through multiple generations, adapting to new generations and updates as they are released.
Asia
In Asia, Yaris production supports both domestic demand and regional distribution, with several plants involved across different countries.
- Japan — Yaris (for the domestic market) is assembled at Toyota’s Japanese plants as part of the country’s compact-car lineup.
- Thailand — AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) in Rayong builds Yaris hatchbacks for Southeast Asia.
- China — Yaris L and related variants are produced at FAW Toyota and/or GAC Toyota joint-venture plants to serve the Chinese market.
Asia remains a critical region for Yaris, reflecting strong demand for compact cars in diverse markets and the adaptation of models to local preferences.
North America
North America sources Yaris vehicles from a Mexico-based production site to supply the United States, Canada, and Mexico markets.
- Mexico — Yaris is produced at a Toyota plant in Guanajuato to support NAFTA/USMCA markets and regional distribution.
The NA production approach aligns with regional supply chains and tariff considerations while supporting model-year updates for the U.S. and Canadian regions.
Model variants and regional differences
Across regions, the Yaris lineup can include hatchbacks and sedan variants, with some markets receiving tailored trims and special editions. The naming and styling of these variants can differ by country, even as the core platform remains shared across plants.
Toyota continues to align its manufacturing network with demand for compact cars, balancing local production with global platform efficiency. For buyers seeking precise factory sources by year or trim, consult Toyota’s official regional guides or dealership information for the most current production details.
Summary
The Toyota Yaris is manufactured at multiple facilities worldwide to serve regional markets, rather than at a single site. Key production hubs include France and Turkey in Europe, Thailand and China in Asia, and Mexico in North America, with domestic-market Yaris variants produced in Japan. Because plant assignments can change over time with new generations and regional strategies, the most up-to-date factory information is best obtained directly from Toyota’s regional communications or official manufacturing disclosures.
What is the common problem in Toyota Yaris?
Common problems reported for the Toyota Yaris include issues with the automatic transmission (especially older models), power steering failure, air conditioning problems, and paint peeling, particularly on the roof and hood. Other frequently cited issues are engine and transmission problems, such as engine mounts, clutch slip, and rough idling. Some models have also been subject to significant recalls, including issues with airbag inflators and steering components.
This video discusses common problems and weaknesses of the used Toyota Yaris (I generation): 59sMasterCarsProYouTube · Jul 20, 2023
Powertrain
- Automatic Transmission: Can slip or have issues shifting, especially in older models, sometimes linked to a lack of regular fluid changes.
- Clutch: Slipping is a common issue, often indicated by high RPMs without corresponding speed, a burning smell, or a change in pedal height.
- Engine Mounts: Some owners report vibrations from damaged engine mounts.
- Rough Idling: Can occur due to dirty throttle bodies or injectors. Cleaning and replacing spark plugs can help.
- Oil Consumption: Some older models, particularly pre-2015, may burn more oil than expected.
Steering and suspension
- Power Steering: Malfunctions have been reported, leading to steering difficulties.
- Steering Wheel: Some owners report a loose or vibrating steering wheel, or a noisy steering system.
- Wheel Hubs: Noise, such as squealing, has been linked to faulty front and rear wheel hubs.
Electrical and accessories
- Air Conditioning: Malfunctions, such as leaks or the system not turning on, have been reported.
- Airbags: Faulty inflators have been the cause of a major recall.
- Headlights: Malfunction of headlight beams has been noted.
- Media Computer: Issues with the radio, GPS, and Bluetooth have occurred.
- Alarm System: Problems with alarm malfunction have been reported.
Body and paint
- Paint Peeling: A common problem is clear coat peeling, especially on the roof and hood.
- Scratches: Scratches can appear on the dashboard, around door locks, and in the trunk.
You can watch this video to learn about common problems of the Toyota Yaris iA: 59sSimple Mechanic AdviceYouTube · Dec 14, 2024
Why did Toyota discontinue the Yaris?
Toyota discontinued the Yaris primarily due to declining sales of small cars as consumers shifted to larger SUVs and crossovers. Additionally, the cost to meet new safety and emissions regulations for a new generation made the vehicle less profitable, especially in the competitive U.S. market where sales had already plummeted. Toyota is also focusing resources on its hybrid and electric vehicle development, with some markets introducing the smaller Yaris Cross SUV as a replacement.
- Declining market demand: The overall popularity of subcompact cars waned as many consumers in markets like the US began preferring larger vehicles like SUVs and crossovers.
- Profitability concerns: Making a new-generation Yaris compliant with modern safety and emissions standards would have made the entry-level model too expensive to build profitably.
- Strategic shift: Toyota redirected its resources and strategy towards hybrid and electric vehicles and larger models. In some regions, this meant launching the Yaris Cross SUV to fill the gap left by the discontinued Yaris sedan and hatchback.
- Model platform changes: The US market Yaris had been a rebadged Mazda2 for several years, indicating a lack of investment in its own subcompact platform.
Where is the Toyota Yaris made?
Yaris is a true global Toyota model with manufacturing sites around the world. Initial Yaris production started in January 1999 at the Takaoka Plant in Aichi, Japan. Today, the Yaris has production bases in 10 countries: Japan, Brazil, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, France and Czech Republic.
How do I know if my Yaris is French or Japanese?
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) identifies where the vehicle was made. This can be found on the door sill inside the passenger side door. If the VIN starts with JTD, the vehicle was made in Japan. If the VIN starts with VNK, it was built in France.
