Where Is Toyota Yaris Made? (Solved & Explained!)

Like many car brands, Toyota is famous for spreading the production of its models across the car markets of different continents like North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

The Yaris is yet another lineup of affordable, subcompact cars popular among the budget-conscious buyer.

Where are these cars made?

The Toyota Yaris is produced in Japan and France. In May 2013, Toyota split the production of Toyota Yaris models, moving the units meant for the U.S. and Canadian markets to France. While Toyota Japan factories make both hatchback and sedan Yaris models, Toyota France only makes hatchback Yaris.

Where Are Toyota Yaris Being Made?

Generally, the Toyota Yaris is produced in Japan and France.

Even though this model has been produced in Japan since 1999, it didn’t use the name ‘Yaris’ in Japan until 2020.

Instead, the nameplate Toyota Echo was used in Japan, while exported versions of the model received the name ‘Yaris.’

In May 2013, Toyota split the production of Toyota Yaris models, moving the units meant for the U.S. and Canadian markets to France.

Also, Toyota made an exception in 2020 and built 2020 Yaris cars meant for the U.S. market in Mexico. Other units were produced in the company’s France and Japan factories.

While the Toyota Japan factories make both hatchback and sedan Yaris models, Toyota France only makes hatchback Yaris.

The reason Toyota moved production of Yaris intended for the U.S. market was because of the low demand for Yaris sedan versions.

Are Toyota Yaris for the U.S. Market Produced in the U.S.?

No, they are not. Instead, the U.S. market relies on Toyota factories outside the country for its stock of Yaris models.

The factory that the U.S. market sources its Yaris models has shifted over the years. From 1999 to 2012, the United States imported Yaris cars from Toyota, Japan.

In 2013, Toyota shifted the source of Yaris cars for the U.S. market to Toyota France.

Once again, in 2020, Toyota moved the production of Yaris cars meant for the U.S. market from France to Mexico. The vehicles are produced at a manufacturing plant jointly owned by Mazda and Toyota in Mexico.

Toyota established this partnership with Mazda to reduce its investments in the Yaris. Besides that, the Yaris is modeled after the Mazda2.

Quickly scan our article that talks about 4 Most Common Problems With Toyota Yaris

Are They Being Assembled in the U.S.?

No, the Yaris is not assembled in the U.S. The factories that produce the Yaris also assemble them.

They are the Onnaing factory in France; and the Iwate and Motomachi factories in Japan.

Have a look at our article which talks about Toyota Yaris in Snow & Winter Driving?

How Can You Check Where a Specific Yaris Was Produced?

You can tell where your Toyota Yaris was produced by studying your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

The VIN is a distinct 17-character combination that comprises numbers and letters that sets a vehicle apart from other vehicles. You can find the VIN on the metal dashboard of your car.

The first character on your VIN indicates the location the car was produced. When a first character is a number, it means that your car was produced within the American continent.

In contrast, if your VIN’s first character is a letter, it means that the car was manufactured outside the American continent.

That said, the first character on your Yaris’ VIN will most likely be one of two letters: ‘J’ or ‘V.’ ‘J’ refers to Japan, and ‘V’ refers to Valenciennes, France, the only two countries with Toyota factories that produce the Yaris.

The only exception to this rule is the 2020 Yaris that are produced for the U.S. These cars were manufactured at a plant in Mexico, so the first character on their VIN will be the number ‘3’.

Otherwise, enter your VIN on a website like searchquarry.com to discover where your vehicle was produced.

Are the Japanese or European Built Yaris Better?

Judging from customer reviews, neither of them is better.

Alan Bradley, who claims he has used both Japanese and French versions of the Yaris, said they are no different in quality.

Nevertheless, Toyota originates from Japan, so the Japanese are more likely to ensure that their native product is top-notch.

Where Is the Yaris Designed?

The most recent design of the Yaris was made in Japan by Takayuki Nakajima in 2017.

Before that, a Greek Designer, Sotiris Kovos, created the very first design of the Yaris in Europe in 1997. Kovos was a Toyota employee at the time he made the design.

Toyota Japan made a few modifications to Kovos’ design and came up with the new Toyota Yaris.

Where Are Yaris Made for the Australian Market?

The Australian market sources its Yaris from the Toyota factories in Japan.

Where Are Yaris Made for the Canadian Market?

The Toyota Yaris meant for the Canadian market is produced at the Onnaing Toyota factory, Valenciennes, France.

Originally, Toyota Canada imported Toyota Yaris from Japanese factories.

However, in May 2013, Toyota shifted production for the North American market from Japan to France.

Where Are Yaris Made for the U.K. Market?

Despite having a factory that produces the Yaris in nearby France, the Toyota U.K. market imports the Yaris cars it sells from Japan.

This is no wonder since Toyota intended the Yaris produced in the Onnaing factory for the North American market.

Is Toyota Planning to Move Its Production?

No, it’s not. But Toyota has moved production once.

In 2013, Toyota shifted production of the Yaris for U.S. Markets from Japan to France.

The company deemed this move necessary after the sales of the Yaris sedan fell in 2012.

Is Toyota Hiring or Firing in the U.S.?

Toyota intends to employ new employees this year.

The company uploaded job postings on Glassdoor, a job vacancy website recently.

However, the company has no intentions to retrench staff. Nonetheless, Toyota has announced its plans to relieve 5,000 temporary staff of partner companies.

Is Toyota an American Company?

No, Toyota is not an American company.

The company was established in Japan, and it has established many factories in different countries, including the USA.

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