Where was my Lexus built?
Your Lexus could have been assembled in one of several plants around the world. The exact factory is encoded in the car’s VIN and often listed on the window sticker. Here’s how to determine the build location with confidence.
How to identify the factory
To locate the precise assembly plant, start with two reliable sources: the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and the vehicle’s window sticker. The VIN contains a plant code that points to where the car was built, while the window sticker or Monroney label often notes the country or plant used for assembly.
VIN decoding basics
Use the 17-character VIN found on the dashboard, driver’s door jamb, or vehicle documents. The 11th character is the assembly plant code. Decoding that single digit (or crossing it with a trusted VIN decoder) usually reveals the factory location.
- Find the VIN: common places are the dashboard end of the driver’s side windshield or the driver's door jamb sticker.
- Identify the 11th character: this digit/letter is the plant code.
- Cross-reference the plant code with a reputable VIN decoder or Toyota/Lexus manufacturer charts to confirm the facility.
- Be aware that codes can vary by model year, so use a decoder that matches your vehicle’s model and year.
Using the VIN in this way is the most direct method to determine where your Lexus was assembled.
Window sticker and service records
The window sticker (Monroney label) can also provide build-location details. Look for lines that say “Assembled in” or “Manufactured in,” which indicate the country and potentially the plant used for assembly. If you can’t read the sticker directly, your dealer or Lexus customer service can pull the information from the VIN and report the exact plant.
- Check the door jamb or the windshield sticker for an assembly note.
- Ask the dealer to provide the factory name or plant code tied to your VIN.
- Use a trusted online VIN decoder with model-specific mappings to translate the plant code.
These sources typically confirm the factory that built your Lexus when the VIN or sticker is accessible.
Where Lexus models are produced worldwide
Lexus maintains a global production network, with assembly operations in multiple regions. The exact location for a given model depends on the market, model year, and supply arrangements. In broad terms, Lexuses are produced in Japan for global distribution, in North American facilities to serve the US and Canada, and in China for the domestic Chinese market. Market demand and model lineup influence which plants are active for a particular vehicle.
- Japan-based plants handle a substantial portion of global Lexus production and support many model variants.
- North American facilities assemble Lexuses destined for the US and Canada, supplementing global supply.
- China-based plants manufacture models specifically for the Chinese market under local partnerships.
Production footprints can shift with model launches, supply chains, and market strategy, so checking the VIN remains the most reliable method for your exact vehicle.
What to do if you can’t read the VIN
If the VIN isn’t readily accessible, you still have options to verify the build location. Start with the window sticker, then reach out to the dealer for official documentation tied to your vehicle’s VIN and model year.
- Request a copy of the window sticker or Monroney label from the dealer or current owner.
- Provide the vehicle’s model year and approximate build date to a Lexus customer service representative to obtain the assembly plant.
Together, these steps usually yield a clear answer about where your Lexus was assembled.
Summary
The exact plant that built your Lexus is typically encoded in the VIN (the 11th character) and can also appear on the window sticker. Lexus operates a geographically diverse production network, with plants in Japan, North America, and China serving different markets. If you share your VIN (or its 11th character) with a trusted VIN decoder or your dealer, you can confirm the precise factory that produced your vehicle.
How can I tell if my Lexus was made in Japan?
You can tell if a Lexus was built in Japan by checking the first character of the VIN. A "J" at the beginning of the VIN indicates the vehicle was manufactured in Japan. Alternatively, you can look at the sticker in the driver's side door jamb, which may explicitly state the manufacturing location.
Using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Find the VIN: The VIN is a 17-character serial number found on the dashboard (visible through the windshield) or on the driver's side door jamb.
- Check the first character: The first character of the VIN indicates the country of origin.
- Look for "J": If the VIN starts with the letter "J," the vehicle was assembled in Japan.
- Other letters: Other letters or numbers at the start of the VIN indicate manufacturing in other countries. For example, a "2" or "5" can mean the vehicle was assembled in North America (Canada or the U.S.).
Using the door jamb sticker
- Locate the sticker: Open the driver's side door and look for a sticker on the door jamb.
- Read the label: This sticker often contains a phrase like "Manufactured by Honda in Japan" or "Built in Japan by Honda," leaving no doubt about its assembly point.
How do I look up my Lexus vehicle information?
In order to view the standard and optional equipment, safety features and technical specifications for your vehicle, simply enter your VIN on our Lexus Owners Site.
Can a VIN tell you where the car was made?
Among the information NHTSA's VIN decoder provides is information about the vehicle's plant of manufacture. After searching a VIN, you'll see the build plant and country for the vehicle in question.
How do I find out where my vehicle was assembled?
You can find where your car was assembled by checking the sticker inside the driver's side doorjamb or by using the VIN decoder on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, which requires the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The sticker may explicitly state the location, or the first digit of the VIN can indicate the country of origin (e.g., 1, 4, or 5 for the US; 2 for Canada; 3 for Mexico).
Method 1: Check the doorjamb sticker
- Open the driver's side door and look for a sticker on the door frame or jamb.
- This sticker typically includes information about the car's manufacturing, such as the assembly location and date.
- Some stickers may say something like, "Manufactured by Ford in the USA".
Method 2: Use the VIN decoder
- Locate your car's 17-digit VIN. It's often on a sticker on the dashboard, visible through the windshield on the driver's side, or on the doorjamb.
- You can also find it on your vehicle registration or insurance documents.
- Go to the NHTSA VIN Decoder page.
- Enter the full VIN and click "Decode VIN".
- The results will show the country of assembly and the specific plant at the bottom of the page.
