Starting in April, buyers in Japan will be able to get behind the wheel of a Toyota with a unique backstory. The company will begin importing US-made models into its domestic market, starting with the Tundra and Highlander.

Toyota's plan to bring US-made vehicles to Japan has been discussed since 2025, largely seen as an effort to appease President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda. Both the Tundra and Highlander can be sold locally without additional certification procedures, ensuring a smoother launch. The US-produced Camry is also expected for import soon.

The 2026 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax pickup model. Photo: *Car and Driver*

However, there is a compromise in this strategy. None of these models have been redesigned for the right-hand drive market. The US-made Tundra sold in Japan will even retain its left-hand drive configuration. The simple reason is that the projected sales figures do not justify the cost of conversion.

Toyota expects to sell only 80 Tundra units and 40 Highlander units per month, totaling approximately 960 pickups and 480 SUVs annually. In comparison, in 2025, the company sold 147,610 Tundras in the US, averaging about 415 units daily. Highlander sales were similar, with 56,208 units sold, or about 159 units per day.

This move, therefore, is not related to market demand but rather aims to satisfy a specific group of American customers.

Only one version of the pickup will be offered, known as the 1794 edition. It features Toyota's 3,4-liter twin-turbo i-Force V6 engine. Japanese market-specific power figures have not been released, but the US market version produces 389 horsepower and 649 Nm of torque. The engine pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a part-time 4-wheel drive system.

The Tundra in Japan, with dimensions comparable to its US counterpart, will stand out among the kei-cars dominating local streets. Its starting price is 12 million yen, equivalent to USD 75,200, which is close to the USD 71,305 starting price for the same 1794 version in the US, excluding USD 2,098 in delivery fees and taxes.

Meanwhile, the Highlander will be offered with Toyota's 2,5-liter inline 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain, producing 247 horsepower and featuring 4-wheel drive. The sole version, the Limited ZR Hybrid, includes three rows of seats, a panoramic sunroof, a JBL sound system, and a head-up display. Unlike the Tundra, however, the Highlander sold in Japan will have right-hand drive.

Toyota previously sold the Highlander in Japan from 2000-2007, but that model was rebranded as the Kluger. The new model's price will start from 8,6 million yen (approximately USD 53,800), comparable to its US selling price, where a Limited Hybrid starts at USD 52,075, excluding USD 1,495 in delivery fees, plus taxes.

Later this year, Honda will also begin selling US-made Acura Integra Type S and Honda Passport TrailSport Elite models in Japan. Nissan also plans to export its Tennessee-produced Murano model to Japan starting in 2027.

My Anh (according to *Autoblog*)