I just wanted to thank everyone for your comments and feedback. I am very honored to be a guest engineer in AMD's channel and hope to create more collaboration videos with him - we share the same vision and passion for all things Toyota so I truly appreciate AMD's insight and amazing character. If there are other topics you would like us to cover, please let us know... thank you again.
In don't understand where ppl in this country are getting this Biased ideas from? Toyota taco made in Mexico blah blah blah.. they consume too much propaganda. Way B4 the Taco was send to the markets here in the USA, The Hilux was a success in whole Latinoamérica, they are still being built in Argentina along with the original land cruiser Jeep made in Brazil Colombia and Venezuela. Back in the days Where there where no pave roads, only muddy jungle trails for example To extract the coffee beans for you favorite drink here in the US. Not a single American made pick up was able to endure the hardship, only Japanese pick ups, like Isuzu, Toyota, Hino trucks, Nissan, Daihatsu etc and maybe one of two Russian made UAZ. Heck those very old BJ40 land cruiser from Colombia are imported now in the US and sold for a lot of money, and those were workhorses in the Country side and still running like a Champ!! 🤣🤣🤣 Toyota is literally in all the continents that also include the Antártic continent thanks to the Argentinian Army where they use it and have them at their own stations 🤣
This is a pre-cursor that Japan will lose more manufacturing jobs due to aging population and cheap Labor elsewhere. Made in Japan used to mean Made to Perfection. Toyota PR is evolving. When you pay a man less and expect more, the quality eventually suffers, software is no exception. As long as Toyota is on top of the quality rank, they care less and less on how low the bar drops.
@@retiredrebel time for them to reform and start accepting more inmigrants and changes in their laws so young ppl can have a decent life with kids and not the low quality of live with heavy expenses but that is just my opinion who knows if Japan will put they proudnes to the side and think about their future before they disappear!
Hi how are you? Please tell me 1 thing, I keep reading and hearing that modern Toyotas are not as durable and reliable like they were in the 90s and early 2000s and that modern Toyotas will no longer last 400,000 /or 500,000. Why did Toyotas let the quality slide, I heard the new Toyota vehicles especially 4 cylinder engines will no longer make it much past 200,000 and that gone are they days of keeping Toyota forever without many problems. Car prices are more than in the past so why is the quality no longer there like before?
Okay, I've owned 5 different Japanese made cars, a '78 280z, '96 4runner, '00 Trooper, '04 TSX and now a 2018 4runner. The Datsun died of rust(my fault for too many trips to the beach), the old 4runner died on a patch of black ice, and the Acura had to be sold because it was too small for my family. The only one that died unnecessarily was the Isuzu Trooper. I got rid of it not because the engine died but because the transmission made by GM went out. When I bought the new 4runner that I drive now I was also considering a Tacoma. If you're having trouble deciding for yourself take a trip to Mexico and then a go to Japan (I've been to both) . Japanese culture eats sleeps and breaths pride in workmanship. Just look what they do with Wagyu beef. It's hard to pass on a car that's made in a country where everyone sees themselves as a measure of what they produce.
True, even their batteries are awesome, my 05 4runner sport got the Panasonic battery until it got weak in 2019 because i only drove less than 2 miles to grocery. That's 14 years of Chicago cold. Still got my 4runner, 214k miles atm.
Agreed to both comments here, after having Toyotas and Lexus most of my “driving” life, I was shocked to hear batteries only are expected to last 5 years, as mine typically last double that (yuasa/Panasonics)
I have a 2015 GS 350 AWD that was built in Japan, and at 51K miles it runs nicely. This model also has the advantage of being an RWD that has AWD added, it makes a big difference with ride versus the FWD with added AWD. I enjoy your channel sir.
Thank you both for sharing that information. If I had a choice I still would prefer my Toyota made in Japan, but would still buy one made elsewhere because of what I learned today. 👍🏻
Japanese built cars are superior. I've owned Acura, Hondas and Lexus. The Japanese manufactured cars are better. Once, my brother and I both had Honda Accords. Mine was made in Japan, his made in Ohio. While they looked the same, the fit and finish were different. Even the sound of the door when it closed was different.
I agree. My father had a 2008 Accord that was made in Japan. The 2015 Accord I had just never seemed as rock solid as his 2008. Unfortunately a careless driver in a minivan hit us and totaled his car.
Japan built vehicles are a little better because they do it upto the minute details and up to the last micron. Perhaps the workmanship spirit and fine details of the builders translates to the final product. Although the Honda's and Toyota's (Mazda and Subaru to some extent) either from countries and/or from USA, are still far better made than most American, European and Chinese Cars. Toyotas are maintenance budget friendly and easy to take care of, plus they do provide respectable after sales support and assistance.
All of the Toyotas, 2009/2011/2013 Sienna Limited AWDs and 2021 Sequoia TRD Pro, that we have purchased were all manufactured in Princeton, Indiana and have held up, splendidly.
I had a 2020 Camry hybrid made in Kentucky, I was so happy with it that I traded it for a better well equipped 22 Camry hybrid made in Kentucky. An absolutely flawless piece of machinery!
I love your channel and content. I find myself watching it a lot. I was with Toyota for 10 years and with Lexus currently 21 years. I have owned mostly Toyota trucks built in Japan my latest one is American made. I think the quality of fit and finish is definitely different and better in the Japanese model. The plastic seems to stay more pliable as it ages. The workmanship I think is also maybe just a little bit better in Japan I hate to say that. Most everything is just cosmetic as you say. But if I had a choice I would rather purchase a Japanese built. My 94 truck had 250,000 miles on it when I sold it looked like new when I got rid of it my 2008 Toyota truck Tacoma still looks good with 140 thousand miles. Some thing as simple as a seat back the springs in the lumbar were all broken. I would think that they would be the same quality as my 94 that had no problem it’s not like we reinventing the wheel. The nice thing is take care of the car and it will last you I recently redid the driver seat and feel like the car is almost new. Keep up the good content I really enjoy your shows.
The country that has the highest discipline has the best workers and the best quality control. I had a brand new truck built in Mexico and the Mexican technicians in LA, found a lot of bolts lose at the electrical box mounted on the firewall. I think they built my truck on Sunday and were drinking Tequila. When it comes to cars and a lot of other things Japanese have the highest quality.
You both speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but and it’s so great to see you both give your true facts and personal opinions when it comes to Toyota manufacturing, engineering, and mechanical issues… us viewers couldn’t ask for anything better as this is why your guys’ channels are going to continue to grow… thanks again for everything you both do for us and taking the time to produce this great information to all of us and always keeping us in the loop… stay safe and enjoy the rest of your weekend David and AMD…👍👍👍
If it is the truth why did they both insist on getting their wives a JVIN? Why is AMDs American made Camry a pile of garbage? Why do JVINs have fewer recalls and a higher resell value?
Canadians take very good pride in their work and make good quality parts as well. My 2007 Lincoln Town Car and 2001 Ford Crown Victoria P71 were both built in Canada and I was able to get over 400,000 miles out of them with very little effort or major repairs. Also, I noticed our 2012 RAV4 was built in Canada.
I'm glad toyota representatives are honestly engaging with their customers and potential customers . You guys have won me over to the brand you represent. I was a nissan loyalists before. Could you guys discuss the JDM import market, like the ordinary vehicles? Could you guys cover cars like the toyota blade 3.5 v6 corolla and the toyota Estima 3.5 v6 van, FWD layouts and the Toyota Majesta V8 luxury sedan. This is because the private vehicle import market has opened up here in Australia. You guys forgot the toyota factory in South Africa its been there since the 70s and has had a huge motorsports history in racing in South Africa like TRD South Africa.
Some good info here for sure. All the same. I think I’ll be sticking with my ‘21 4Runner TRD Pro and ‘20 MX-5 RF. Both solidly made to very right tolerances and with precision. Both made in Japan.
Made in Japan is definitely better because of the pride workmanship culture and near-zero tolerance of letting issues slide. The MX-5 is a great example of a car made exclusively in Japan, and has been since May/June 1989 I believe. The Honda Accord I have now is made in Japan also. Seems like the majority are made in Marysville, Ohio in the case of the Accord.
It could be slightly different model, refined for demanding Japanese customers. You go to Philippines or Africa and it will be worst interior, possible bare bones with cheap plastic. I see many companies do that in electronics and food.
Toyota is truly an amazing car company. I've only owned 2 Toyotas since I started driving nearly 30 years because of their longevity. Bought a 99 Corolla and then later an 05 Camry which I still own - both bought used. Incredible vehicles and rock solid. My Camry is almost 19 years old and looks perfectly new with well over 350,000 kms. Toronto, Canada
Im a toyota tech and one thing i did notice is the japanese made wheel caps/covers that clip into the steel type wheels fit and clip in better then the canadian version, having worked for toyota Australia where all the cars and parts are made in japan and then working for toyota Canada i did notice the japanese made did seem to fit better.
I am a Toyota man with previous extended experience in automotive inspections, and I - again, based on 15+ yo experience - only buy those made in Japan. Granted, Toyota - even made in Mexico - is two heads above all kinds of fords no matter where they are made and yet. I know someone who was an engineer at the factory that employed Vietnamese workers as a part of "cultural exchange", and nobody could make those guys work even according to those lousy standards. Also, I read about vw (yes, junk with extremely low quality!) not being able to manage its workers at the assembly line in Mexico. Even by vw "standards". One other - very fresh - observation. Over the last couple of years, I had to contact Toyota (OF AMERICA!) customer service a few times, and the outcome was a standard american "we are striving..." BS we all hear from the US-based businesses. The response that can be translated as "leave us alone - who are you to bother busy people?!?" I know for a fact that Toyota of JAPAN treats its customers with respect. To make it short, Toyota of America is an American company with [crappy] corporate culture. Toyota of Japan has integrity. So with all due respect, no. Thank you but no - I will continue buying vehicles made in Japan.
The several Toyotas I have owned have all been reliable. A Kawasaki motorcycle made clear to me the difference between assembly quality from different countries. In 1990 I could not wait to get my hands on the new king of speed, the Ninja ZX-11. When I took mine home I rode in a rainstorm, so I immediately began stripping off the fairings to clean it properly. What I discovered was that the engine, which was made in Japan, was an immaculate jewel of a power plant. The rest of the machine, which was assembled in Nebraska, was a shoddily slapped-together pile of parts. Just as an example of the faults I had to correct, I discovered that the fuel shutoff valve was leaking at the tank. After draining the tank and removing the valve, I found that the required o-ring had never been installed on the valve spigot. In its place, some moron had wrapped the straight threads and tube with teflon tape. The tape was the only thing preventing a massive leak and possible fire. The rest of the bike was similarly neglected. I never trusted motorcycle dealer mechanics, so I fixed everything myself. It turned out to be a hell of a fine bike, and I wish I had kept it to this day.
Dependability and reliability is all on suppliers of parts,and there's so many hands everything has to go through something will always get through regardless, but you can't hide a recall, except when it comes to FORD and GM which as of late speaks for itself
Wow! Good job on making connections. It is amazing how quickly this channel is growing! I have been a follower for a few months and I’m happy to see other RU-vidrs collaborate. Best of luck!
For now, the engines/transaxle of Yaris hybrid and Yaris Cross hybrid (both 1.5L 3 cyl.) here in the UK are built in Japan. Beautiful! We love our Toyotas! My Mk.3 Yaris hybrid (XP130) has 90,000 miles on it and running like new.
Enjoying your videos, regardless if I own Toyota or any other car :) I used to have 1995 Corolla which was made in Japan and then couple of years later my uncle got a 1997 version of the same car, but his was made in USA. Pretty much similar car, but fit and finish of my Japanese made vehicle, just felt better. I sold my car in 2003 and it is still on the road in my city! As for my uncle's car, he sold it in 2006 to one of our relatives and she drove it until 2019 and then something happened to the transmission(she probably didn't service fluid), so car was sent to junk yard. I own Acura RL and was made in "Sayama Plant, Japan" according to the sticker and the quality is felt throughout the car!
My pops is the first owner of a 06 RL. Damn thing has almost 300,000 miles still drives it. It’s been from the east coast to Cali 3 times. Garage kept and serviced by the same Honda master tech since it was new.
ive owned several toyotas a few lexus and some JDM lexus models ,one thing i can say is the JDM windshields seem to not get busted by rocks as easy and last 10x longer , and id still rather have my toyota/lexus built in japan
One argument is that Japanese workers simply have better work ethics and are less likely to make mistakes or let imperfections slide, and that leads to better quality products.
That was an outstanding video. Absolutely enjoyed it. For me, a Toyota is a Toyota is a Toyota no matter where it is made. Ok, maybe I’m a bit biased in my thinking, but if I found out that a new purchase is indicated that it’s made in Japan, I would feel a sense of relief based on the fact that early years of Toyota cars were made with a passion for quality, and feel that passion is still alive and well. Great informative video. Much mahalo.
I have a 2011 japanese corolla (1ZR-FE) and is still running strong. Not a single leak, it doesn't even needs refills. It is dry as it can be. Only consumable parts has been replaced (sparkplugs, filters, oil, accessory belt, water pump).
I bought a 2003 Toyota Corolla that was assembled at the NUMMI (UAW) plant in California. It had some horrendous assembly issues. The seal on the rear window was not installed properly, and water leaked in onto the rear floor after the first rain. There was also an issue with one of the front struts that was misaligned. Once those issues were resolved, I kept the car for 13 years and it was very dependable. My next vehicle was a Scion which was 100% Made in Japan , and it had no initial quality/assembly issues, and I have had it for 10 years now, the only repairs have been brake and tire replacement.
So educational. Thank you. I am an "old geezer" now and today's car buyers are so lucky. When I was younger and buying cars (usually every four years) the biggest fear you had was buying a "LEMON." In fact it was so bad that is where The Lemon Law came into existence. If you ever got a lemon it was a true nightmare and I have stories. However no one even worries about buying a lemon today and nobody even talks about it. By the way I bought a new made in Japan 2018 RAV4 XLE Hybrid and it is absolutely the BEST vehicle I ever owned. Of course my wife's 06 Accord 4 cylinder with 175,000 trouble free miles will give it a run. Anyway , maintenance, maintenance, maintenance is the key to keeping a car long term. Again thanks!
Absolutely correct maintenance is key. Follow the maintenance schedule laid out in the owner's manual. It's good for your warranty and for the longevity of the vehicle after the warranty is expired. Take it from another "old geezer" who happens to be a licensed auto mechanic. " This is the way "
I bought a 2007 4runner with 198,000 miles on it in 2017. 4 years later, no problem at all outside of routine maintenance. No way I would have bought an American made car with high mileage like that. 4runner are rock solid.
I bought an 09 Explorer V8 205k miles. 3 years and 20k later. Only needed new wheel bearings and routine maintenance. A lot depends on how it was taken care of.
With so many manufacturers to choose from, and with them all trying their very best to make vehicles to the best of their ability (because they do realise they won't sell otherwise), I still find myself favouring anything Japanese built. The reason? The Japanese work ethic. They've had centuries of applied perfection in every aspect of life, and work, and that deserves recognition and appreciation. Knowing that the people who made the Toyota cars I've owned put their complete heart into the build, is a very nice thing to remember as pootle along every day. Unfortunately, being resident in the UK, Japanese models are less common. But the factories Toyota operate here in the UK, are clones of the homeland ones, and that's clear from my purchases. All of the following were previously owned, and not one gave me any reason to complain. First Toyota - 1986 4WD Tercel (as driven by Jessie in Breaking Bad) built in Japan - loved it! 2nd, 3rd and 4th Toyotas - Carina E (European) - built in UK - 4th one was a 1997 model petrol estate (station wagon) - still going strong with 180,000 miles in 2020 when sold 5th Toyota - UK built Avensis Estate - BMW diesel engine - load lugging perfection. 6th Toyota - RAV4 Prime - Japanese built - arrives soon.
The Toyotas made here in Brazil are very reliable too. I own a 2014 Corolla that is just like new and never had any issues. My mom also had another one before it and no issues too, except, the gas signal remained on (indicating as if it was low fuel but it was not), but I think that had to do with the fact that it's a Flex model, meaning it accepts two types of fuel, gasoline she ethanol(sugar cane alcohol), so it has an extra tiny tank by the engine, so you add a bit of gasoline there to help start the car in the morning if you're using ethanol and you live in a colder area of Brazil(South). The current model I have only showed this for a short period, add I live in a warmer place of Brazil I don't have problem starting the car in the morning plus, I use mainly gasoline so, I didn't care too much about adding gasoline in the "tanquinho"(as we call it 😃) or "little tank" but it disappeared, so, in practice, no issues at all. 😃 My father also had an 93 or 94, imported from Japan(so, 100% Japanese), it was his then mine and we stayed with it nearly 20 years. No issues at all. Great reliable cars.
Thank you so very much for all that you do, Ahmed. You have been a a well spring of information to me in my research of a new car purchase. The first car I drove as a teenager was a 1986 Tercel 5 speed manual transmission (my mom's car). After she passed away, my older brother inherited it and had 400,00 kms on it and was still running like a top. It's amazing how well the engine designs hold up if you maintain the cars properly.
Japanese workmanship is 2nd to none. That being said, Toyota is superior no matter where it is made. My Texas-made Tacoma is an absolute durable machine and team Texas has pride in their work too. I love it and I can feel it will go the long haul.
Thank you both for this information. I bought a Toyota several years ago in the UK. It was a diesel with a BMW 1.6 engine apparently Toyota did not wish to build diesel engine for cars in Europe so some deal was done with BMW. Now I had two episodes with this engine when under 5000 miles the ERG valve all these repaired under warrantee. I was not the only customer of the major dealer to have this problem. However I believe Toyota did something to resolve the problem (I did write to the top executive in the UK but can't claim credit for the resolution to the problem) Since that time now at 33K mile all is well. I agree treat you treat your car properly that gives them longer reliable life. I enjoy the wisdom from your channel. Thanks
A car can be greater or less than the sum of its parts. A factory worker in Japan would never show up hung over, drunk, on heroin or meth, or just not feel like being there on a specific day. Can we say the same about Cletus in Kentucky? I am not talking about stereotypes, I am talking about the cold, hard reality of the situation. Even cosmetic things can damage the usability and resell value of the car. That the fit and finish of American-made Toyotas is inferior is a huge red mark against them and all the hand-waving in the world can't change that. That is a sign of corners being cut, what else is being cut? It would be one thing if a comparable Toyota built in Kentucky had a sticker price that is $5000 less to signify an inferior vehicle, but that is not the case. I would wait a few extra months to avoid one built in Kentucky and would pass if that were the only option. US built Toyotas are knockoffs, but Toyota USA, being the scumbags that they are, actually charges the same for these fakes. It doesn't matter what the make of the car is: Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes, etc - the American-made models of every foreign car maker are inferior.
Your guest, David, in the closing comments mentioned that certain review media like Consumer Reports are not accurate about Toyota's quality metrics. Imho, there are no magazines other than Consumer Reports that are more impartial, objective, and trustworthy about their rating. Can David elaborate on his point?
Pearl white paint is among the most difficult to match between panels, as any body shop can attest, so not surprised there is a visible difference between continents.
Never had any meaningful difference in fit or finish between my MIJ 03 4runner and MIA 07 Tacoma and 04 Sequoia. all were solid, well put together and reliable
There is a difference between Assembled in Japan and Made in Japan. When buying a brand new Car, there is a small sticker on the rear passenger window where it shows where the components/percentage of parts come from. Buying a Prius, 4runner, lane cruisers, Lexus IS, GS, GX, LX, NX will all show 100% parts from Japan and is also Assembled in Japan, these cars are certified MADE IN JAPAN. The only cars I would def buy. But yes, your vin number can say J but not all parts are from Japan and can come from diff countries, so it would just be assembled in Japan. But in my opinion, still higher quality than any other countries. Just my 2cents
@@Chorizomicks yeah true. The final assembly is Kentucky though as it states on the door sill sticker, so that indicates the car isn’t purely a USA built one.
@@tails300 its assembled in the usa. some parts might have come from elsewhere. Prius' hybrids are all 100% Parts from Japan and they are assembled in japan. Makes them MADE IN JAPAN like 4runners, land cruisers, Corolla iM, Lexus GS, IS, LS, NX, GX, LX. I think some corolla hatchbacks are Made in japan too with 100% parts from japan
96 Rav 4. 388k Japanese made break pads, drums, alternator, battery, and just changed timing belt, awesome wagon still loving her..look after your car, thats all.
I have two comments: 1) Some say JDM motors from Japan are much better, more reliable. AFAIK here's the reality: the primary difference is that cars in Japan are often (mostly?) traded in before having to go through another "Shaken" compulsory inspection+repair cycle (first is 3 years after purchase, then every two years.) The inspection itself is quite expensive, but even more: any misses must be repaired. MUST. Due to this, the average used car in Japan simply isn't all that old! Newer cars will, in general, be more reliable. 2) I'm a lifelong computer R&D guy with decades of experience. One of the interesting things I've observed about car engineering is illustrated by the long term problem with the Toyota 2ZR-FXE engine used in 2010-2015 Prius and more. With 20/20 hindsight, there was a mechanical design error in the pistons/rings that led to ridiculous oil consumption plus blown head gaskets, after about 100,000 miles unless maintenance was performed much more often than recommended. The design was modified several times but not actually fixed until the 2015 version. My point in sharing this latter story: not all issues can be resolved in early design, testing or even thousands of miles of use! Getting the design right is simply a hard issue. Unfortunately, Toyota has not always backed up their excellent record for great cars, with excellent customer service.- There's a lot of frustrated customers out there. This is not Ahmed's nor David's problem to fix. Someday I hope Toyota can learn to handle things better. Blessings, Pete
I just bought a 2022 corolla and was pleased to know it was made in Japan even though I bought it before knowing where it was from. My brother has a 2020 corolla made in Mexico with no issues.
TOYOTA KNOWS HOW TO CONTROL QUALITY CONTROL. Have you seen dodge production plant? their workers are part time highschoolers or Prison release work programs. No uniforms. They look, bored and under qualified. In Japan you don't work on the production plant. You work your way into the production plant after being an apprentice and taking courses that may last for several years depending on where your working.
In 2005 when I was 7 years old, I remember my dad bringing me around to shop for a late 1990’s Toyota Camry - the XV20 series. He immigrated to the states in the 1980’s and knew how to find a good car. He would only buy 1-owner cars with a stack of paperwork documenting all the maintenance. Every single car we looked at, he would tell me to run up and look at the VIN plate - if it started with “4T” we would immediately be walk away - he was only interested in the “JT” models because he told me that the Japanese workers who built the cars were more fastidious than the American and that the “JT” models would probably have fewer problems. We settled on a Grey 1997 4-Cylinder Camry LE with the grey cloth seats and 147,000 miles. Over the course of our ownership it received the Camry bump too - but then one day it randomly popped back out and we had no idea how or why! We drove it with nearly no issues until 323,000 miles before selling it to the daughter of a mechanic for $800.
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Japanese Culture Triumphant! They have ancient feudal work spirit! I used my 2013 Prius II to tow a 6 by 12 single-axle enclosed cargo trailer (1400 lb when empty) loaded with furniture from New Orleans to Seattle in 2018. In 2020 it was rear-ended by a truck and totaled. Then I bought a 2020 Prius AWD XLE and have been maintaining it according to this channel since the expiration of the free factory maintenance.
(After watching the video) Yep, a lot of this sounds right. There are minor differences that only if you are actively searching for will never see. US, JP, CA, CN, wherever, it just comes down to culture differences and stereotypes. Toyota determines the quality. The business determines the quality. Even if you are just a lowly grunt in manufacturing you should know this because you have to deal with your boss who is dealing with their bosses bosses bosses bosses bosses boss who deals with the customers bosses bosses bosses bosses bosses boss. That is in addition to dealing with the engineers.
@@willyjimmy8881 If it is lower, then it is lower. Toyota is the one who determines that but evidently it is still within their tolerances. Or not. Who knows.
I am a engineer and put a lot of thought into what ever I do. I have owed five Toyota's over my life and they have all been a great trouble free driving experience. I would be reluctant to buy in other brand.
To me it’s not just the factory line, which I do believe is better, but it’s the surrounding suppliers of parts who I believe are held to a higher quality, let me give you one example when you get a Toyota made from Japan it has a Panasonic battery in it when you get one from another plant it comes with a true start, Also in my opinion you can tell because the flagship cars are always made at the Japanese plants the best models in the lineup forerunner Land Cruiser Lexus LS All made at the Japanese plants.
Do you know if the RAV4 Limited Hybrid is also made exclusively in Japan? I once saw a video of someone bragging about their RAV4 Made in Japan and he mentioned that the Limited Hybrid came from Japan. But I had the chance to check other RAV4 (non) hybrids and they came from Canada. I am confused. xD
@@Giorgio_Giorgioni I believe at once time the rav 4 hybrid came from Japan only. But now I believe it’s primarily from Canada but there are some out there that are made in Japan. Canada is probably the second best Toyota factory and was where the first Lexus to be made in North America was chosen to be manufactured at.
Thank you AMD and David. This video is really helpful. I never gave much thought to the fact that my car was made in Japan but I was aware of it. At this point, I won't give it any consideration at all.
Back in December 2006 I bought a Certified Used 2006 Toyota Matrix made in Canada with 6100 miles on the odometer and drove it well over 140,000 miles when it was totaled in an accident on April 15, 2013 (I remember that vividly because it's Tax Day in the US). That was replaced a week later with a Certified Used 2012 Scion xB made in Japan with 20,000 miles on the odometer and I still daily drive it today with over 140,000 miles currently on the clock. Each vehicle was/is properly maintained regularly by the same Toyota dealership in my area. I've always followed the included Maintenance Guide to a T and it has never let me down. With the exception of the previously mentioned accident that totaled the Matrix, I've had over 15 years and 280,000 miles of reliable, dependable, uninterrupted, worry-free driving. So whether a Toyota is made in Canada or Japan, it makes no difference - they're all reliable in my book.
The Vehicle's I had from Japan was made very well. My Tacoma made in USA came with body imperfections and the rear bumper is not aligned properly. Poor quality control. Oh well. 🤔
I owned a 2004 Lexus RX330. Just over 1/4 million miles. 3 timing belts changed. The car runs like new. The paint job still great. The first factory battery lasted 11 years. The interior leather looks new. No cracking. Changed the shocks and struts once! I will not buy another car for me for my life. (I am 73). I don’t think I will replaced this car. I learned to clean the yellow from the head lamps. The color is named Bamboo Mist. I bought this car for my wife when she think that we can afford a Lexus. Now I am keeping this Lexus. I she gets another new one.
Here's my relevant Toyota experience. Bought a used1993 Geo Prizm 5sp in 2004, ran it up to close to 300,000 miles, got rid of it in 2014 just because it was obsolete by then. This was a Toyota design identical to the Corolla, manufactured by GM in Fremont, California. No drive train problems. Replaced two drive axles, one brake rotor and the distributor. These are not exceptional problems. In 2018, I bought a used 2001 4cyl Toyota Camry Solara. It was made in Canada. Again, no drive train problems. This car was wrecked in 2020. Eventually, I ended up with a 2001 4cyl Camry LE. This one was manufactured in Japan. Again, no problems related to manufacturing quality. My experience says, the badge and the model is the most important thing.
Toyota products made in Japan use different parts than those built elsewere. Or at least they used to. In my repair shop and personal cars when buying parts for Toyota's I was always asked if it was made in Japan or another country. Serial # starts with J was made in Japan. I also noted US vehicles used US made parts in their vehicles. Example Batteries, wipers, tires, radiators, brake parts and so on. I was told Toyotas made in US used 30% US parts, an agreement they had. Having said that guess which parts failed?????? In my experience there is a huge difference.
I was under a time constraint, had no choice but to get it early. It was to either get the RAV4 Prime the first week it was released or not get it at all. The 6 month wait was not a luxury I had.
Here's an example of when a factory specific problem can occur. I also posted this to another thread in this post. It's a little long, but I think you should read it. A few years ago, Hyundai Sonata's (and other Hyundai/Kia cars) built in Alabama were known for a manufacturing defect. Not a minor one, but a major defect - they built motors, but didn't properly clean the machining "leftovers", so as the car was driven, metal filings would shed from the motor, scoring cylinder walls, bearing surfaces and clogging oil passageways. Hyundai/Kia got caught and they were sued in multiple class actions. Their attorneys were pretty smart - instead of fixing every defective motor, they told consumers that they had to install a software modification, which would use existing motor sensors to detect "noises" in the motor. Of course, by the time the "noises" were detected, the motor had already sustained damage, but the idea was to create a way for Hyundai/Kia to invalidate claims. Also, Hyundai/Kia satisfied NHTSA regarding the recall - they were required to recall ALL Theta motor cars built in a certain timeframe, since the motor could fail and leave the driver without control of the car (power steering, brakes and acceleration would be lost). Did Hyundai/Kia take responsibility of building a defective vehicle? Consider this, if a customer didn't have the KSDS software added, Hyundai/Kia claims that the customer abused the car and they will not longer honor the warranty. Hyundai/Kia claims to have done everything reasonable to alert owners of the need to install KSDS software in their vehicle. BUT, if a vehicle was used for "certain" purposes, such as being on a dealer's lot (was for sale), was a rental vehicle or many other uses, the vehicle was void from the warranty repair. Remember that the software will detect damage to the motor, so using some logic, if a customer did not install the software and they had a motor failure, the only thing the software would've done is to alert the customer that a problem had occurred, prior to the motor actually freezing or the knock being loud enough that the owner would know. Hyundai/Kia claim that the customer abused the car, by not having the software added - logically, that would mean that the software "saves" the motor from damage, which we know that it doesn't. It gives an early alert only, that's it! Hyundai/Kia has saved a ton of money by voiding warranty claims due to KSDS non installation. They've also locked out many owners (if you haven't had it done yet, you've given up your warranty) from future warranty claims - basically they've limited their liability, even though there are still a lot of customers who will suffer from their inability to properly produce a car. I'll add one more item here. I am of the belief that Toyota would've treated this in a much different manner. They would've been embarrassed by doing something so poorly and they would've fixed every car that had the problem. On top of it, they would've done everything they could to make the owner whole again. And yes, an apology would've been made to all affected. Where Hyundai/Kia tried to find a way to limit their liability and sneak away fixing as few vehicles as they could. Instead of feeling shame for building a defective vehicle, Hyundai/Kia chose to "stick it to the customer" - their customer. I know a lot of people who will NEVER buy a Hyundai/Kia car after this debacle.
Yes they are better. As you mentioned particularly for fit and finish. If you can see the difference in fit and finish, how can we assume for the other parts of the car this is not applicable. And the mere fact we are discussing this matter shows that a lot of people believe made in Japan cars are still more reliable and high quality. Just my thought.
Please fix the delayed heat production on the CHR. It takes painfully long for the engine to reach and maintain its engine heat. 20 minutes is unacceptable at outside temps of 5-10 degrees Celsius. It has been to the dealership 5 times in 2 months and they have no idea what is happening. We took 2 new off the lot CHR's and they are the same.
I purchased the first year of the Toyota Camry solara. 1999. With a V6 manual engine. That car lasted to more than 296,000 mi. And the only reason I'm not driving it today, is a woman totaled it when she wasn't paying attention.
I bought a Rav4 Prime, a vehicle manufactured in Japan. Mechanics were okay, but before long the power assisted steering began to make alarming noises immediately after starting the car and when reversing with steering lock. I thought the noise would improve but it only got worse and worse. So obviously not impressed as the car has less than 10K on the clock and needs a significant repair. However, where the car does impress is body panel alignment and interior fit-and-finish. I compared to a hybrid and there was a noticeable difference in attention to detail. Even though the car was manufactured in 2020 it still had (and has) issues with fuel indication. The EV range computer is also completely nuts and has decided my car always achieves 199.9 mpg. So quite underwhelmed. Also underwhelmed by Toyota's inability to fix anything that isn't actually hanging off the vehicle! Fortunately we took the extended warranty and service options so we'll eventually force Toyota to fix the vehicle. But for now... unimpressed. Obviously a sample size of one isn't statistically significant but I certainly can't say there's any indication that Japanese assembly/parts is usefully better than North America. However, fit and finish is clearly superior.
Speaking of our daily drivers... 1) I owned a 2012 Matrix 1.8L made in Ontario Canada, It was reliable and my only complaint was the rear calipers (the pads never wore evenly). 2) I then had a 2018 iM made in Japan. The fit and finish was noticeably better (to my picky eye). Problem Free 3) My wife has a 2018 Yaris Hatchback made in France. It is by far the worst fit and finish of any Toyota Product that we've had. Still very reliable but not nearly half as well assembled (noticeable beyond even my picky eye). Foam that sneaks up by the windshield from beyond the dashboard, The passenger door requires slightly more force to close when other doors are shut. Which isn't typical of any of our Toyota's. Keep in mind, bought new with zero signs of accident repairs. It's not like you have to slam it, but it's not the gentle effortless close that we've come to expect. Also the belt was junk and needed replacement early. Minor issues, otherwise very reliable. 4) My current 2021 C-HR made in Japan. It's fit and finish is superb. My only complaint so far is that the gas cap needs a redesign. Frequent trips down gravel roads will have you removing your cap to find road dust trying to enter your tank. Without a serviceable fuel filter, this is a concern. It's also a first for me on any Toyota product that I've owned. It's clearly a design flaw that could be remedied with a silicone sleeve to prevent the dirt from building up under the cap against the seal.
The take away is that the design process and the stringent requirements placed on Toyota's parts suppliers are the most important factors when manufacturing a new Toyota. If you design X part to fit properly with Y part, and the supplier is able to make those two parts with very little deviation from spec (or no deviations at all), then there is absolutely no difference in quality between those 2 parts made in Japan or elsewhere. They are functionally one and the same. Those are only for parts that arrive at the factory by themselves or as part of a subassembly, of course, and has nothing to do things that are out of the control of the suppliers such as paint application, sheet metal stampings, and so on. If the above holds true, and the quality of every part and subassembly are equal, then the real difference in quality will come down to the diligence of the factory workers. The workers have to do everything precisely, with high quality, be willing to stop the line if something is discovered, and generally be invested in their job for more than just compensation. In other words, they are not just working for the money, they are working to do their best every single day and derive satisfaction from it.
I just ordered for a used 2011 toyota vanguard from Japan. I'll have to change the steering wheel to left. I hope it won't affect the quality of the car. Because I'm also excited to be buying from Japan.
A lot of the problems are at the headquarters office. When looking online to address interior noises in a 2011 Camry, it gets interesting. Basically, the workers in Kentucky are under the gun from tmusa to keep costs at a certain point.
I owned two crv, one made in Japan the other in Canada. I had so many little issues with the one from Canada that I sold it, still have the one from Japan and going strong. I won’t buy a Japanese car that is not from Japan. This is my personal experience.
My 08 yaris sedan was made in Japan...its the toughest car I have ever owned. I have changed only the brakes and an exhaust flex pipe gasket in 17 years. 300k and still drives like its only at 100k nothing sexy about it as its just an apliance but man...what a perfect car for a cheapo like me.
I bought a new corolla le in May and it was built in Mississippi in March, I don't notice fit and finish issues, door and hood gaps or interior misalignments. The problem is in the drivability.. CVT jerks when accelerating after applying brakes or slowing down, loud road noise.
Wonderful chapter, BIG thanks to David such a brilliant engineer, what a great, clear and thorough way to explain to us all these details that for good or bad, sometimes we simply lost our sight. Thank you, Ahmed, for this great piece of educational lesson. Cheers from Mexico!
