Country of Origin - Newer Tacomas

It seems more and more like the new Tacoma's are coming in from places outside of Texas/US...I don't know if it's because of the locations of the dealers I'm looking at (North Texas area - DFW) and of shipping logistics or if San Antonio is shifting more production to the Tundra, but it seems like a lot of the Tacoma's I'm looking at were assembled in Mexico. A dealer said he has a truck in the configuration I'm looking for but it probably has a 3-VIN number - assembled in Mexico.

Where are your trucks from? I'm mainly curious of 2012 and up trucks.

3-Prefix: Mexico.
5-Prefix: US/Texas.

Go.

 

I have a Mex built '13 that is 6 months old, and just went over 4k and so far I've had zero problems with it. Not a single piece of trim out of place or a quirk of any kind. Couldn't be happier with it.

 

Good to hear...I had a 2011 Honda CRV AWD that was pretty awful IMO, solid engine (Japan built IIRC) but the transmission (USA) and assembly (Mexico Automovil) and general quality wasn't up to snuff. The doors didn't align with the other doors/body (chrome trim made it easy to see just by eyeballing it) and the transmission was way under filled from the factory (sounds like the Tacoma has this issue too). I was wondering why it shifted like hell during those cold mornings going to work at 5am. The door latches on the rear passenger door would make some kind of weird buzzing noise when I used the power locks from the driver's side, although my 2013 Accord does this too.

 

Yeah I know that, I was just wondering how many of them on Tacoma world were from where.

I don't have one yet, looking into another Tacoma though. First one was an 05 that I owned from 2008-2012 until it was wrecked.

 

I was a little disappointed being from SA and finding the Taco on the lot that I wanted, only to see if was a Mex build. But, like I said, in all fairness it has been flawless so far. I didn't even have the 30mph hood whistle on mine. The only thing I have noticed so far, is the cross wind whistle that happens in high cross winds here and there.

I think there might be a poll about TW owners and US-mex builds here. Not sure if the thread has opinions of each, but it does have the poll.

 

Well, that quickly stops the idea I had about going down to SA and checking things out there.

It's weird because the Tacoma is a uniquely US product. It was designed and made for the US market whereas the everywhere else gets the Hilux.

 

Yeah, but so many companies are out sourcing stuff. If I remember right, GM has had their engines built in mexico for years... or at least some of them. I would say not to worry about the Mexico built Taco's if that's your concern. I suspect there is no more gamble than any other vehicle made anywhere else. Besides, Mexico has been building Taco's forever.. lol.. now they just build one you can drive.

 

My 2013 TRD OR DC 4x4 was built in Mexico. It has around 12,000 miles and has also been flawless so far. I was initially disappointed that it wasn't built in the U.S., but could really care less now and am very happy with the build quality. Everything seems put together well and I have no loose interior parts or squeaks of any kind.

I do have a light drive line vibe, but I don't think it has anything to do with where it was built. I've learned to live with it since it doesn't seem to cause any major failures in other trucks. It's really barely noticeable, only through a short window when accelerating.

 

My 2010 DC 4WD OFF ROAD was built at Toyota de Baja California (Mexico)... It is the best Tacoma of the three I have had!

I drove by the factory in 2010... it is on Hwy. 2, between Tijuana and Tecate... couldn't stop, but tried to get some shots as I drove by...

 

DavidK, that's pretty cool!

 

Baja plant builds only Double Cabs, so there's a good possibility that if you have a Double Cab, it came from Mexico. Toyota also tries to keep logistics for western locations to source Double Cabs from Baja, and then San Antonio can send their Double Cab production further East.

 

I've also heard that the plant in Mexico handles all custom orders as well, not sure if that's true. Can anyone verify?

Mine is a Double Cab that was sent to PA and built Mexico, so it doesn't follow the logistics procedure of eastern double cabs coming from San Antonio. But I did custom order the all weather flooring option in mine.

 

Well, not exactly. The Tacoma is a uniquely "North American" product and many are sold in Canada. They were built in Oakland, CA, until GM filed bankruptcy and stuck Toyota with the union plant (now owned by Tesla). Toyota is staunchly non-union and has built it's plants in southern states where unions are not an issue (as have most other Asian and European manufacturers). Mexico was a no-brainer and the Baja plant has received numerous awards for quality and efficiency.

According to Wikipedia, the Baja plant builds the composite beds for all Tacoma's which it supplies San Antonio with for their Tacoma production. They also build only V6 DC Tacoma's (mine was built there). All the Access Cabs and Standard Cabs are built in San Antonio (who also builds DC's).

 

I've got a 2014 DC with a 6 speed and my vin starts with a 5. Also, I live in Phoenix...

 

Ah, that's what I mean't to say. North American.

 

Bought mine in Jacksonville, FL. VIN starts with a 5.

 

My '14 Double Cab Off Road I bought in Dallas last month was built in Mexico

 

My truck is a Mexican

 

I said "tries" it doesn't always work out 100%. Some option packages they'll try to keep at one plant to not have to do dual-tooling sets, stocking of parts, etc.

 

Built in Baja for the Baja! (well at least mine was)!