Reverse Imports Are Now a Thing
For years, Japanese automakers have been shipping cars out to the rest of the world. Now, in a twist nobody saw coming, they’re bringing American-built models back home to Japan. You can thank all the trade talk and pressure from President Trump to even out the score.
Toyota‘s already rolling out the Texas-built Tundra pickup in Japan. Nissan’s doing the same thing with the Murano, also straight from the States. In a country where big, American-style SUVs and pickups are still a rare sight, these imports are being pitched as something a little different.
And different they are as these reverse-imported models come with a heads-up for buyers. Okay, let’s call them a warning or a disclaimer – mainly about differences in equipment, features, and, unfortunately, even overall quality.
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The Fine Print Hidden in the Catalogs
Australia’s Drive first caught this curious case. For Toyota, the Tundra’s customer information booklet states that the full-size truck is built for overseas markets and may exhibit characteristics that differ from those of vehicles produced specifically for Japan. Among discrepancies buyers might encounter are thin paint, color variations, polishing marks, small surface depressions, or paint swelling. Toyota states that these conditions do not affect vehicle functionality or performance.
The Nissan Murano also comes with a similar disclaimer. Nissan’s telling buyers that the midsize crossover is finished according to overseas-market standards and may display cosmetic differences compared with vehicles built for the Japanese domestic market. Examples include minor dust particles embedded in paint, traces of adhesive residue, and small variations in panel alignment and gaps.
Other disclaimers are expected due to functional limitations related to their American origins. These include certain connected services, navigation-related functions, and driver-assistance features that may not operate exactly as they would on JDM models.
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Subaru’s Next
Toyota and Nissan are just getting the ball rolling. Subaru is considering bringing the US-built Ascent to Japan, which would finally give them a big three-row SUV at home – no need to build a special model just for Japan. Like the Tundra and Murano, the Ascent comes out of an American factory, making it yet another case of a Japanese brand looking stateside for something new to offer local buyers.
Sure, these vehicles might help tick some political and trade boxes by putting more American-built metal on Japanese roads, but they also shine a light on just how different manufacturing standards and customer expectations can be from one country to another.
Japanese buyers are used to cars built to the highest standards, with every detail nailed down to perfection. So automakers are making sure to set the record straight from the start: these rides were built with America in mind, and you can still spot a bit of that American flavor even after they’ve crossed the Pacific.
Kristen Brown
