Ford building cars in India for import to USA

So do i

 

Not new.

 

So long asit let's epa and nhtsa guidelines it shouldn't be an issue. Lots of the old R34 skylines have been imported but the owners had to upgrade the side crash beams and emissions systems before customers would allow them to bring them in

 

That’s the problem. I want a diesel. Toyota builds a kick ### diesel. There diesel will not meet epa regs. Period.

 

The only problem is you have to wait for it to be 25 years old before you can bring it into the country. I still got 23 more years before I can bring the 2016 model into this country. I'll probably be dead by then.

 

The small one is called the Connect. American models are made in Spain. The large Transit is made in MO for the American market.

 

Japanese-made Toyotas have much higher build quality than US-made Toyotas. If I have the option, I always buy a J-vin.

99% of parts are interchangeable and unless it is a rare care, that last 1% is going to be stocked in a distribution center. They key with Toyota parts is to buy from a reputable discount parts dealer -- local dealers are notorious for charging over list price, especially if you're in an isolated area.

They are actually building a lot more in Mexico these days (especially Tacomas) and these tend to be the builds with the most issues. Still above average, but not quite what I expect from Toyota...

There are a few from the 80s that were sold new here, and a few from the 90s that were imported via Canada. But most guys I know with them have used conversion kits ($10-15k) or bought used JDM front clips and converted on their own ($3-5k).

In CA we have diesel smog inspections for everything 1998 and newer, so we're limited to 1997 and earlier. But they've got conversion kids for brand new Toyotas if Smog isn't a concern for you.

 

The Tacos they are building in Mexico are very well built. No problems.

 

The parts are identical, but I notice a big difference in paint & coatings. Japanese paints still look good 10-15 years later and you can unbolt stuff without issue. American-made Toyotas tend to fade a little more and have more problems with rust. Mexican-made Toyotas tend to have the most problems with rust.

Unfortunately, Toyota hasn't imported trucks from Japan since the T100. But if you get a chance to really dig into a 98 T100 vs a 2000+ Tundra you can really tell the difference.

You can spot the same differences between Japanese 4runners & US/Mex Tacomas.

One of the main problems with Tacomas is the rusting rear frames & leaf springs. Tacoma DoubleCabs are what come out of Mexico, and they have the highest recall frame replacement rates. Is that just because the double cab has more weight on the back? Maybe, but I doubt it.

Less of an issue for vehicles kept in Arizona though...

 

from a toyota message board i am a member of

and this

and this

when i go shopping (usually early on a sunday morning) for a new car or truck, i look over all the cars i have an interest in, for instance, Camry. i look at final assembly plant, and date of manufacture.

that's about all i have any interest in, otherwise, i'd be there all day looking for a specific country of build, which i just will not do. as i see it, no matter where the final build takes place, it's still a crap shoot of quality. then do not forget too, the cost of shipping here to the states, is way above shipping it from a US state to the dealership.