Where are Highlanders made now ???

[hl]

Mine is a 2002 and when I bought it new, I was told they ALL were from Japan. Where are they being built now?

[bob259]

Originally Posted by hl

Mine is a 2002 and when I bought it new, I was told they ALL were from Japan. Where are they being built now?

The Hybrid is still made in Japan, not sure on the others.

[ddvk]

My new 2006 highlander was Made in Japan . The easiest way to determine which country the vehilce was manufactured is by the VIN number. If it starts with a J then it is Made in Japan.

[akira751]

Originally Posted by hl

Mine is a 2002 and when I bought it new, I was told they ALL were from Japan. Where are they being built now?

2007 still made in Japan.

[LifeTech]

To be exact, Both Standard and Hybrid H/L's have always been MF'd at Toyota ,Kyushu,Japan. 2001-2007.

Toyota has not announced plans to build the 2008 in the USA or Canada.

But Canada would be logical because they have a production facility that is world renowned in the Auto Mfr. Industry and Currently the RX350 and older 330's were made there. The RX is sister to the Highlander as most all know.

The Japanese and European/Australian H/L is Known as the Toyota KLUGER (base) and KLUGER Grande(Limited). It was exclusively a Japanese Domestic vehicle in 2000. Identical except for Right hand drive in Japan and Australia. Very big markets in addition to the USA

The series we refer to as 1st Generation H/L (body style wise) is really a 2nd generation Kluger. The 1st generation Kluger was pre 2000 and resembled the Early Previa series(rear drive minivan). Totally different vehicle.

BTW, Using the Name KLUGER would not have negatively impacted my decision to buy. I wonder why Toyota USA and Toyota Global chose to change it's name to Highlander here in the USA. Probably a Corprate abberration??
I understand that Toyota does this to many of their Global cars(i.e The Ist Gen. Lexus RX is known as the Toyota Harrier), but Kluger means Smart in German...what ? we North Americans aren't smart? What is Highlander supposed to mean to me? LOL
Whats in name anyway? The H/L is one of many quality Toyotas anyway.
Anyone else on this?
Just some trivia.
LT

[getman]

respeckt from Pearl-Harbor!

[hl]

Originally Posted by getman

respeckt from Pearl-Harbor!

Yeah- my dad who was in WW II used to give me grief about my 84 Camry purchase and I would remind him of a PBS documentary I saw of the Baton Death March. They were interviewing a survivor who went through what we would call "HELL" and they asked him about his Datsun pick-up parked in his garage. I always gratefully figured that guy paid for my right to buy a quality product. My dad finally let up when I pointed out his 1990 made in the USA Dodge had a Mitsubishi engine and Canadian body.

[LifeTech]

My very first car was a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T w/383 Quad Holley. It was my Dad's weekend car. When I got my license, he gave it to me with only 13k miles. it was already 5 years old. I hooked it up with all Mopar Direct Connection performnce stuff. drove it to 180k miles and then sold it to a Dukes of Hazzard Fan. He pestered me for two years. I finally got my silly price$$.

That's when the oil embargo hit and I got into Toyotas. My first was an 1983 Supra. All my friends laughed at me. Unpatriotic and stuff. I actually thought I made a mistake buying this Supra. But, the girls loved it. Red and all with the factory black wing and all.
But I did get alot of grief.


"YOU AND your Rice burner" remarks, got'em all the time ,even from strangers.

Today, every personal friend of mine owns at least one Toyota. Those that laughed at me way back when. Some have my old Toys. The Supra was totaled , but my 84 Camry is till going with over 360k and only the second clutch replaced. My 85 Celica GT is still being driven with 130k on it. And, recently got rid of my 88 Corolla stick with 104k. Original clutch was on its way out. I beat that thing up though. Great commuter car. All my fiends and neighbors want my cars.
I never need to advertise. They all want Toyotas these days.

My best man is turning in his leased car in less than 2 years and wants my Highlander already. He will probably end up with it. He bought the Celica for his daughter and loved it.

I bought all of my Toyotas new. I worked at a Toy. dealer for some years and that made it very easy for me. But, these Toyotas have gotten expensive over the years ,for sure. They no longer exist in a 'niche buyers market'. They are mainstream autos.


LT