?? Some 2018 Camrys are built in Japan??

I'm in the market for a 2015 long bed off-road double cab but can seem to find any used.
While at the stealership I was browsing the 2018 Camrys and noticed that some are made in Japan, verified by both the J VIN and the window sticker country of origin listing. The saleman told me that Toyota has a plant that starts off building the models whenever there is a generational change in a models design. That Japanese plant is used as a model production facility until the models home plant is up and runniong.
Is this true? Seems a bit suspect to me because I have never seen a 2016 Tacoma with a J-VIN.

 

Wtf Toyota​

 

Yes, but not all models get vehicles built in Japan.

 

Has anyone ever seen a J-Vin Tacoma?

 

They never offered this as an option, only the access cabs and the double cab short boxes came with the off-road option for the gen 2's. The third gens offer a double cab long bed though

 

to clarify, they never offered it on the TRD OR. rjbiii is correct if you want to have a TRD OR LB you need to look 2016 and up.

 

Doesn't exist.

4runners and Some Camrys are made in Japan.

I believe Land Cruisers and Avalons are made in Japan as well.

 

Early FJ cruisers were also made in japan. We have one with a J Vin

 

just bought the wife a 2017 Rav4 made in Japan, J vin

 

I may be wrong, but I thought all FJs and 4Runners were made in Japan.

 

I could also be wrong lol.. they mightt all be made there, i just know that the first year fjs definitely were

 

if its a worldwide model.... it can be made in japan

Tacoma is a US Canda Mexico model.... it gets made here.

 

The reason is the chicken tax.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax

AFAIK it's a big reason we can't get Hilux and 70 series Land Cruisers.

 

Not true. This was a planned event by Toyota all along. It's hard for the average consumer to appreciate how difficult a model change is on a production facility...especially one as drastic as the '18 Camry. This vehicle shares virtually nothing with the previous model. It's on an entirely new platform, new drive train, interior, exterior....everything. Last I heard it was something like 95+% parts change content.

It takes time to retool a plant for that type of change.....new equipment, new processing, etc. The Tsutsumi (Japan) plant is dealing with these changes as well, but on a smaller scale because they only produce one grade....the LE 4 cyl. TMMK, on the other hand, is a much larger facility and is tasked to produce all models...LE, XLE, SE, XSE, hybrids, 4 and 6 cylinders. All premium trims, including moonroofs, panoramic roofs, 2-tone, etc will come exclusively from the KY plant. So the change points for them are HUGE. It will take time for TMMK to stabilize and reach full capcity.

Knowing that, Toyota planned all along to use both plants to ensure there would be ample inventory on dealer lots by the fall. Once TMMK is running at full strength those imported Camrys will disappear.

There was no "testing it in Japan first" nonsense.

 

Avalons are produced at TMMK

 

RAVs are produced in Japan and Canada. Luck of the draw as to which one you get....unless you're after a specific one

 

And now I've gone and learned something today...