Where was my Toyota C-HR made?
Your Toyota C-HR could have been built at one of several plants around the world, with the most common sources being Toyota’s Sakarya, Turkey plant for European markets and GAC Toyota’s facilities in China for Chinese-market cars. To identify the exact factory that built your specific vehicle, you’ll need to check the VIN and the vehicle’s door/sticker labels.
The Toyota C-HR was introduced in 2016 and has since been produced in multiple locations to support different regions. Production locations have varied over time based on market demand, regulatory considerations, and supply chain arrangements. This article explains where C-HRs have been assembled and how to determine the precise plant for your car.
Where the C-HR has been produced
The following are the main production hubs that have supported C-HR manufacturing in recent years. The exact plant for your car depends on its market and production batch.
- Turkey — Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT) in Sakarya. This plant has produced C-HRs for Europe and surrounding markets.
- China — GAC Toyota joint venture plants serve the Chinese market and have produced C-HRs for that region.
- Japan — A portion of C-HR models destined for the Japanese domestic market have been produced in Japan.
- Other markets — Depending on demand and logistics, additional production may occur at other regional plants.
In short, your C-HR’s origin is tied to the market it was intended for and the production run it came from. Checking the VIN and labels will reveal the exact plant for your individual vehicle.
How to determine your car’s exact factory
To identify the precise manufacturing plant for your specific Toyota C-HR, use the VIN and the vehicle’s label information. The steps below guide you through the process.
- Find the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It is a 17-character code located on the top of the dashboard near the windshield and on the driver’s door jamb sticker or the vehicle registration documents.
- Note the 11th character of the VIN. This character is the plant code that identifies where the vehicle was assembled.
- Use an official VIN decoder (Toyota’s resources or your local dealer) to translate the plant code into the manufacturing facility.
- Check the door jamb or engine compartment sticker for a field labeled “Plant,” “Build Location,” or a similar indicator, which sometimes confirms the same information as the VIN.
- If there is any doubt, contact your Toyota dealer or Toyota customer service with the VIN for a definitive confirmation of the build location.
By following these steps, you can determine with confidence where your specific C-HR was assembled, even when models share similar features but come from different plants.
VIN interpretation specifics
VIN decoding can vary by country and model year, so relying on official sources ensures accuracy. The 11th character is the general plant code, and Toyota’s decoder will map that code to a facility such as the Sakarya plant in Turkey or a GAC Toyota facility in China, among others. If you’re shopping used or inherited the vehicle, the VIN is the quickest way to confirm origin and to check for any model-year-specific production notes.
Summary
In most cases, a Toyota C-HR’s origin will be tied to the market it serves: European-market cars often come from Turkey, Chinese-market cars from GAC Toyota facilities, and some units for Japan from domestic plants. To know your exact plant, inspect the VIN—especially the 11th character—and consult Toyota’s official decoding resources or your local dealer. The door jamb label can provide corroborating evidence if present.
Why was C-HR discontinued?
The Toyota C-HR was discontinued in North America after the 2022 model year due to low sales compared to the more popular Corolla Cross, which offers a combination of utility and efficiency. Other factors contributing to its discontinuation included its small interior space, underpowered engine, and the fact that it was only available in front-wheel drive. The Corolla Cross was the more practical choice for buyers and has become the smallest crossover in Toyota's lineup.
- Lower sales: The C-HR never reached the sales figures of competing models, and even the Corolla Cross sold significantly more units when it was introduced.
- Practicality issues: The C-HR's stylish, coupe-like design came at the cost of a cramped rear seat and limited cargo space.
- Performance: The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 144 horsepower was seen as underpowered, and it was only offered in a front-wheel-drive configuration, which was less appealing to consumers looking for more capability.
- Internal competition: The Corolla Cross was a more practical and appealing option that cannibalized C-HR sales and offered all-wheel drive, which was a key feature for many buyers.
- Product lineup evaluation: Toyota is constantly evaluating its product lineup, and the C-HR's discontinuation made way for other models like the Corolla Cross, which offered a better combination of utility and efficiency for the compact SUV segment.
How do I know where my Toyota was built?
You can find where your Toyota was built by checking the first character of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Look for the VIN on the driver's side dashboard or door jamb, and then decode the first letter: a "J" means Japan, "1," "4," or "5" mean the United States, "2" means Canada, and "3" means Mexico.
This video shows how to find the VIN on a Toyota and decode the first letter: 59sE39M5SPEEDYouTube · Feb 8, 2024
1. Find the VIN
- Driver's side dashboard: The VIN is often visible through the lower corner of the windshield on the driver's side.
- Driver's side door jamb: Open the driver's door and look for a sticker on the door frame or the door itself.
- Vehicle documents: The VIN is also listed on your registration and insurance documents.
2. Decode the first character of the VIN
- The first character of the VIN indicates the country of origin.
Country codes:
- J: Japan
- 1, 4, or 5: United States
- 2: Canada
- 3: Mexico
Where is the Toyota C-HR manufactured?
The Toyota C-HR is primarily manufactured in Turkey at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT) plant in Sakarya. For the second-generation model, production is exclusive to this European plant, which also features the first European battery assembly facility for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Previous generations were also built in Turkey for the European market, and some models for other regions were manufactured in Japan, China, or Thailand.
- Current production: The second-generation C-HR is exclusively produced in Sakarya, Turkey, for the European market.
- European plant: The TMMT plant in Sakarya, Turkey, is Toyota's main production hub for the C-HR in Europe.
- Previous production: Some earlier models were manufactured in Japan, China, and Thailand, with production locations often determined by the specific market.
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.
