Toyota to Introduce U.S.-Produced Models to Japan in 2026

Toyota Motor Corporation reports plans to sell U.S.-built Camry, Highlander, and Tundra models in Japan from 2026. Learn what this means.

Toyota Motor Corporation plans to begin selling vehicles produced in the United States in Japan from 2026. The initiative covers three models that are well established in the U.S. market: the Camry sedan, the Highlander SUV, and the Tundra pickup truck. According to the company, the move is intended both to respond to increasingly diverse customer needs in Japan and to help improve Japan–U.S. trade relations.

For the Japanese market, the decision is unusual. Historically, demand has focused on compact vehicles with efficient packaging and fuel economy, while large American-style models have remained a niche choice. Toyota, however, argues that consumer preferences are becoming more varied, and that offering larger vehicles can address the expectations of customers seeking greater space and performance.

A regulatory element also plays a role in the plan. As part of the preparations, Toyota intends to make use of a new certification system currently under consideration by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The framework is being discussed following bilateral negotiations between Japan and the United States and is designed to facilitate the introduction of vehicles built overseas.

The decision is set against a broader backdrop of trade discussions between the two countries. In recent years, automotive imports have repeatedly featured in talks over trade balances and tariff policies. Within this context, Toyota’s plan to sell U.S.-built vehicles in Japan can be seen as both a practical and symbolic step toward easing long-standing trade frictions.

Toyota has not yet disclosed sales volumes or precise launch timing beyond the 2026 target. Still, the planned introduction of the Camry, Highlander, and Tundra as U.S.-produced vehicles highlights a shift in the company’s approach to global production and market strategy.