Which Honda Accord is made in Japan?
The Honda Accord sold in the United States is primarily manufactured in the United States, with some models also produced in Japan. The specific Accord models made in Japan are the higher-end trims and specialty variants.
Accord Production Locations
Honda produces the Accord at several manufacturing facilities around the world, including the following:
- United States: The majority of Accords sold in the US are produced at Honda's plants in Marysville, Ohio and Lincoln, Alabama.
- Japan: Honda manufactures some higher-end Accord trims and specialty models, such as the Accord Hybrid, at its facilities in Japan.
- Other countries: Honda also produces the Accord at plants in Thailand, China, and other regions to serve local markets.
The Accord models made in Japan are typically the more premium versions, with additional features and technology compared to the standard US-built Accords.
Reasons for Japanese Production
There are a few key reasons why Honda produces some Accords in Japan:
- Specialized models: The Japan-built Accords often include more advanced powertrain options, like the Accord Hybrid, that require specialized manufacturing capabilities.
- Quality control: Honda's Japanese factories have a long history of producing high-quality vehicles, which helps ensure the premium Accord trims meet exacting standards.
- Domestic market demand: The Accord remains a popular model in Japan, so Honda maintains production there to serve the local market.
While the majority of Accords sold in the US are built domestically, the Japan-produced models offer a more premium and specialized version of the popular midsize sedan.
What is the Japanese version of the Honda Accord?
Honda Inspire
The Honda Accord (Japanese: ホンダ・アコード, Hepburn: Honda Akōdo; /əˈkɔːrd/), also known as the Honda Inspire (Japanese: ホンダ・インスパイア, Hepburn: Honda Insupaia) in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one ...
What Hondas were made in Japan?
Several Honda models, including the Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, Clarity, Accord Euro, and some Accord Hybrid and Fit models, are made in Japan. Other vehicles like the Honda 0 Series, and Japan's domestic market N-series mini-vehicles (such as the N-Box and N-WGN), are also manufactured there. To confirm a specific car's country of origin, check the first letter of its VIN; a "J" indicates it was manufactured in Japan.
Models made in Japan
- Civic and Civic Type R: Specific trims, particularly the hatchback and Type R, are built in Japan.
- Accord Euro / Acura TSX: These models were assembled in Japan.
- Clarity: The Clarity plug-in hybrid for the US market was produced in Japan.
- Fit: The Fit is manufactured at Honda's Suzuka factory in Japan.
- Accord Hybrid: Some Accord Hybrid models are made in Japan.
- Honda 0 Series: Upcoming models like the Saloon, SUV, and other versions will be sold in Japan and built there.
- N-Series (mini-vehicles): Many of Honda's mini-vehicles, such as the N-Box, N-WGN, N-One, and N-Van, are produced at the Suzuka factory for the Japanese domestic market.
How to check the VIN
- The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) indicates the car's country of origin.
- If the first letter of the VIN is "J", the vehicle was manufactured in Japan.
How do I tell if my Honda was made in Japan?
The first character of the VIN will identify the country of origin, with “J” identifying Japanese-built Hondas. North American-built vehicles will display “1, “5” or “7” for the U.S., “2” for Canada and “3” for Mexican-assembled units.
Is the Honda Accord made in Japan?
No, the current generation of Honda Accord sold in the US is not made in Japan; it is manufactured in the United States, with production being moved to the Greensburg, Indiana plant from the Marysville, Ohio plant. While Honda is a Japanese company, it has been producing the Accord in the US since 1982, and some parts, like the engine and transmission, may be sourced from both the US and Japan.
- Current US production: Since 2023, Honda has announced plans to move Accord production to its plant in Greensburg, Indiana, to make way for electric vehicle (EV) production in Marysville, Ohio.
- History: The Marysville, Ohio plant was the first Japanese auto plant to produce a car in the U.S., starting with the Accord in 1982.
- Parts sourcing: While final assembly for the US market is in the US, components like the engine and transmission are sourced from both US and Japanese facilities.
- Other markets: Some versions of the Accord sold in other markets may still be built in Japan or other locations like Thailand.
