Where Are Toyota Cars Made? Global Manufacturing Plants Explained
Toyota is one of the largest and most well-known automotive brands in the world. With popular models like the Camry, Corolla, RAV4 and more, Toyota vehicles can be found on roads around the globe. But where exactly are Toyota cars made?
Toyota utilizes a worldwide manufacturing strategy, with vehicle assembly plants located across Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, South America and more. This allows Toyota to build cars and trucks close to local markets.
In this in-depth post, we’ll break down Toyota’s extensive production footprint by looking at where the major Toyota models are made and outlining their key manufacturing facilities in each region. Read on to learn all about where your Toyota was manufactured.
Table of Contents
An Overview of Toyota’s Global Production
Before diving into the specific Toyota manufacturing locations, it helps to understand their overarching production strategy.
Toyota employs a global approach for manufacturing and assembling vehicles. They operate over 30 vehicle assembly plants around the world, strategically located in the major markets where Toyota sells cars and trucks.
Some key notes about Toyota’s worldwide manufacturing:
- Japan – Toyota’s headquarters and original production base is in Japan. Several major plants are located throughout Aichi Prefecture and produce over 40% of Toyota’s global output.
- North America – Toyota has six major assembly plants in the United States, plus one in Canada and Mexico. This allows Toyota to build North American market vehicles domestically.
- Europe – Toyota has vehicle production activities in France, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Russia and the Czech Republic to supply the European market.
- Asia – Thailand, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Taiwan and China all contain Toyota manufacturing facilities to serve Asia’s growing automotive demand.
- South America – Toyota has production bases in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia for Central and South American markets.
This global distribution of plants allows Toyota to build vehicles close to where they will be sold, reducing logistics costs while supporting local economies. Next, we’ll look at where specific Toyota models are produced.
Where Are Toyota Cars Assembled? Manufacturing By Model
Toyota manufactures their diverse lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs all around the world. Here we’ll see exactly where some of Toyota’s most popular models are assembled.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry midsize sedan is the best-selling Toyota vehicle globally, renowned for its reliability and safety. This family-focused sedan sees production at:
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) – Georgetown, Kentucky, USA
- Tsutsumi plant – Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
- Toyota Australia – Altona, Victoria, Australia
Camry production is centered at Toyota’s mammoth Kentucky plant in the United States, which boasts annual capacity of over 500,000 vehicles. Additional Camrys for other markets come out of Japan and Australia.
Toyota RAV4
Toyota’s top-selling SUV, the RAV4 compact crossover, rolls off the lines at:
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) – Woodstock, Ontario, Canada
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) – Georgetown, Kentucky, USA
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Russia (TMMR) – St. Petersburg, Russia
The Canadian and Kentucky plants supply most RAV4 models to North America, while the Russia facility produces RAV4s for the Russian and European markets.
Toyota Corolla
The venerable Toyota Corolla compact car holds the title of global best-selling vehicle of all time. This Economy car icon is manufactured in:
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi (TMMMS) – Blue Springs, Mississippi, USA
- Tsutsumi plant – Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) – Burnaston, UK
- Toyota Brazil – Indaiatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Corolla production is scattered globally with major plants in Japan, the US, UK and Brazil turning out high volumes of this compact commuter staple.
Toyota Highlander
Toyota’s three-row Highlander SUV sees exclusive production at:
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI) – Princeton, Indiana, USA
All Highlander models sold globally are assembled at TMMI, Toyota’s Indiana SUV plant.
Toyota Tundra
The full-size Toyota Tundra pickup is built solely at:
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX) – San Antonio, Texas, USA
Tundra production is consolidated at Toyota’s expansive truck plant in San Antonio. This helps streamline manufacturing.
Those cover the major Toyota car models – the Camry, RAV4, Corolla, Highlander and Tundra. As we’ve seen, Toyota leverages its numerous plants located close to key markets to manufacture their top-selling vehicles. Next we’ll tour Toyota’s main manufacturing facilities around the world.
Toyota Manufacturing Plants By Region
Toyota operates over 30 automotive assembly plants globally across Japan, North America, Europe, Asia and South America. Here we outline some of Toyota’s major manufacturing facilities by region:
Toyota Plants in Japan
As Toyota’s birthplace, Japan is home to their headquarters and several major production complexes:
Honsha Plant – Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture
Toyota’s original manufacturing facility, Honsha plant opened in 1938. Today it produces core Toyota models like the Prius, Yaris, Lexus ES and RX.
Tsutsumi Plant – Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture
One of Toyota’s largest plants with capacity of over 500,000 vehicles per year. Tsutsumi makes the Prius, Camry and Corolla.
Myochi Plant – Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture
Myochi plant builds Lexus luxury models including the LS, IS and NX.
Kamigo Plant – Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture
Kamigo produces minivehicles and microcars like the Passo, Pixis, C+Pod and Sienta.
Tahara Plant – Tahara, Aichi Prefecture
Tahara is Toyota’s most advanced plant, employing extensive automation. It makes the Lexus GS, IS, GX and LX models.
Shimoyama Plant – Miyoshi, Aichi Prefecture
The Shimoyama complex builds engines and transmissions for Toyota vehicles.
Motomachi Plant – Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture
Motomachi exclusively produces the Lexus LFA supercar and Lexus RC sports coupe.
This cluster of plants demonstrates Toyota’s manufacturing strength in their home country of Japan. Next, we look at Toyota’s factories across North America.
Toyota Plants in North America
Toyota directly operates six major vehicle assembly plants in North America:
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) – Georgetown, Kentucky
Toyota’s largest global plant, TMMK has capacity to build over 500,000 cars per year. It produces the Camry, Avalon, Lexus ES, and RAV4.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI) – Princeton, Indiana
TMMI exclusively manufactures the Highlander midsize SUV and Sequoia full-size SUV.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX) – San Antonio, Texas
TMMTX assembles Toyota’s full-size Tundra and mid-size Tacoma pickup trucks.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi (TMMMS) – Blue Springs, Mississippi
TMMMS makes the Corolla compact sedan at high volume alongside the Corolla Cross SUV.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) – Woodstock, Ontario, Canada
TMMC produces the RAV4 compact SUV and Lexus RX luxury SUV.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Baja California (TMMBC) – Tijuana, Mexico
TMMBC manufactures Tacoma pickup trucks for the North American market.
Toyota’s huge North American footprint allows them to build top-selling models near where they will be purchased on the continent. Next we’ll look at Toyota’s European plants.
Toyota Plants in Europe
While Toyota’s European production pales in comparison to their Asian and North American facilities, they maintain strategic operations in:
Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) – Valenciennes, France
TMMF is Toyota’s largest European plant, building the Yaris small car.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT) – Sakarya, Turkey
TMMT produces the C-HR subcompact crossover and Corolla sedan for European markets.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Russia (TMMR) – St. Petersburg, Russia
TMMR makes the Camry and RAV4 for Russian and European sales.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) – Burnaston, UK
TMUK assembles Corolla hatchbacks and Avensis sedans.
Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech (TPCA) – Kolín, Czech Republic
TPCA is a joint venture plant that produces the Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 108 and Citroën C1 city cars.
While smaller than their North American and Asian plants, these European facilities allow Toyota to build locally and avoid import tariffs. Now let’s examine Toyota’s many Asian manufacturing sites.
Toyota Plants in Asia
Toyota operates their largest manufacturing footprint in Asia by far, with major facilities scattered throughout the continent:
Siam Toyota Manufacturing – Chonburi, Thailand
One of Toyota’s biggest plants, their Thailand facility builds Corollas, Hilux trucks and Fortuner SUVs.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia – Karawang, Indonesia
This large Indonesian factory produces the Toyota Avanza, Rush and Fortuner for Southeast Asian markets.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor – Bangalore, India
TKM builds the Etios, Innova and Fortuner in India to meet growing local demand.
Indus Motor Company – Karachi, Pakistan
IMC exclusively manufactures the Toyota Corolla in Pakistan for local consumption.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Malaysia – Bukit Rambai, Malaysia
TMMM produces commercial vehicles for Southeast Asia including the Hilux truck and Hiace van.
Kuozui Motors – Taichung, Taiwan
Kuozui builds the Toyota Yaris and RAV4 for sale in Taiwan.
Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor – Tianjin, China
This Chinese joint venture with FAW manufactures the Corolla and Levin sedans among other models.
Toyota’s widespread Asian manufacturing allows them to participate in emerging automobile markets across the region. Finally, let’s look at Toyota’s South American facilities.
Toyota Plants in South America
Toyota operates production plants in several South American countries:
Toyota Argentina – Zárate, Argentina
Toyota Argentina produces the Hilux pickup and SW4 SUV for local markets.
Toyota do Brasil – São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
Their Brazilian factory manufactures the Etios and Yaris hatches, and the Hilux truck.
Toyota Venezolana – Cumaná, Venezuela
This plant builds Tacoma trucks and Hilux pickups for the South American market.
Sofasa – Envigado, Colombia
Sofasa produces the Toyota Fortuner and Hilux pickup trucks in Colombia.
While smaller in capacity than their other regions, these plants allow Toyota to assemble popular truck and commercial models within the South American countries they are sold.
Conclusion
In this detailed guide, we explored Toyota’s worldwide vehicle production footprint. As we’ve seen, Toyota employs an extensive global manufacturing strategy with major assembly plants located in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, and South America.
Toyota builds their most popular models like the Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Highlander and Tundra all over the world, with facilities positioned to supply regional demand. This localization allows Toyota to manufacture vehicles close to where they will be purchased for maximum efficiency.
So in summary, while Toyota originated in Japan, their cars come from a diverse collection of factories spanning the globe! With over 30 plants worldwide building Toyota and Lexus vehicles, their manufacturing network powers production of some of the top-selling and most-loved cars across the planet.