Ever wondered where your rugged Toyota Tacoma comes from? If you’re picturing American assembly lines, it’s time for an update. The Tacoma’s manufacturing journey tells a fascinating story of global economics, shifting trade policies, and automotive innovation—and these days, it leads directly to Mexico.
Toyota Tacoma Manufacturing: The Complete Picture
The Toyota Tacoma, America’s best-selling midsize pickup for years, is now exclusively manufactured in Mexico. This represents a major shift from its earlier production history, which spanned facilities in California, Texas, and Mexico. As of 2025, two Mexican plants handle 100% of Tacoma production for the North American market.
The Current Toyota Tacoma Manufacturing Locations
Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California (TMMBC)
Located in Tijuana, Baja California, this facility has been producing Tacomas since 2005. What started as a truck bed assembly plant has evolved into a full-scale manufacturing operation:
- Production capacity: 166,000 units annually
- Workforce: Nearly 4,000 employees
- Specialization: V6 double cab short-bed configurations and hybrid Tacoma models
- Recent investment: $336 million for retooling to produce the fourth-generation Tacoma
The 700-acre site includes a 350,000-square-foot facility with an integrated supplier network that minimizes production delays and transportation costs.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Guanajuato (TMMGT)
Toyota’s newer Mexican facility in Apaseo el Grande, Guanajuato began operations in 2019:
- Production capacity: 200,000 vehicles annually
- Workforce: Nearly 3,000 direct employees
- Specialization: Fourth-generation Tacoma, including hybrid variants
- Investment: Over $1 billion initial investment, plus $1.1 billion in 2024 upgrades
This plant represents Toyota’s most advanced manufacturing facility in Mexico, utilizing the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform that underpins many of the company’s latest models.
The Evolution of Tacoma Production
American Origins (1995-2021)
The Toyota Tacoma’s manufacturing story begins in the United States:
- 1995-2010: First produced at the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California (a Toyota-GM joint venture)
- 2006-2021: San Antonio, Texas plant (TMMTX) began producing Tacomas alongside Tundras
- 2010: NUMMI plant closed, consolidating U.S. production in Texas
The Texas facility, spanning 4.2 million square feet with 7,200 workers, was Toyota’s primary Tacoma manufacturing hub for over a decade.
Gradual Shift to Mexico (2004-2021)
Toyota’s move to Mexican manufacturing happened in stages:
- 2004: Established TMMBC in Tijuana, initially for truck bed production
- 2005: TMMBC expanded to assemble complete Tacomas
- 2016: $150 million investment increased TMMBC capacity to 160,000 units
- 2019: TMMGT in Guanajuato began operations with a $1 billion investment
- 2021: Toyota announced complete relocation of Tacoma production from Texas to Mexico
This transition was driven by several factors, including cost efficiencies, trade agreements, and the company’s global production strategy.
Why Mexico? The Strategic Rationale
Economic Advantages
Manufacturing in Mexico offers Toyota significant benefits:
- Labor costs: Approximately 80% lower than U.S. manufacturing wages
- Supply chain integration: Two-thirds of Tacoma parts are sourced from Mexico’s robust automotive supplier network
- Proximity to U.S. market: Quick shipping to American dealerships without overseas transportation delays
Trade Policy Alignment
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) played a crucial role in Toyota’s decision:
- Duty-free qualification: Vehicles with 75% North American content can move across borders without tariffs
- Regional value requirements: Mexican production helps Toyota meet USMCA’s stricter rules of origin
- Risk mitigation: Spreading production across North America reduces exposure to potential trade disruptions
Production Flexibility
Having two dedicated Tacoma plants in Mexico gives Toyota impressive manufacturing agility:
- Capacity adjustment: Output can be balanced between TMMBC and TMMGT based on demand
- Model specialization: Plants can focus on different Tacoma variants (conventional vs. hybrid)
- Shared technology: Common manufacturing processes and parts improve efficiency
The North American Supply Network
While final assembly happens in Mexico, the Tacoma remains a North American product:
- Engines: Many come from Toyota’s engine plant in Alabama
- Transmissions: Sourced from Toyota’s facility in North Carolina
- Rear axles: Supplied by Toyota’s component factory in Texas
- Electronics and interior parts: Mixture of Mexican, U.S., and international suppliers
This integrated supply chain demonstrates how modern vehicle manufacturing spans borders, with components crossing international boundaries multiple times before final assembly.
The Fourth-Generation Tacoma: Made in Mexico
The latest Tacoma generation, launched for the 2024 model year, represents a significant evolution:
- New platform: Built on Toyota’s TNGA-F architecture (shared with Tundra and Land Cruiser)
- Hybrid powertrains: Both Mexican plants produce the new I-Force MAX hybrid variants
- Electrification: Hybrid models expected to comprise 30% of production by 2025
- Advanced manufacturing: $328 million investment in new production technologies
The fourth-gen Tacoma highlights how Mexican manufacturing has advanced to handle Toyota’s most sophisticated vehicles, rather than just entry-level models.
Economic Impact in Mexico
Toyota’s manufacturing presence has transformed local economies:
- Direct employment: Over 7,000 jobs between both Tacoma plants
- Indirect jobs: Another 3,000+ positions in supplier networks and support services
- Recent expansion: 1,650 new jobs created in 2024 from plant investments
- Total investment: Over $3 billion in Mexican manufacturing infrastructure
Toyota has become a cornerstone employer in both Tijuana and Guanajuato, contributing significantly to regional development.
Quality Considerations: Does Origin Matter?
A common question among pickup buyers: does a Mexican-built Tacoma differ from earlier American-made versions?
- Standardized processes: Toyota’s global manufacturing system enforces identical quality standards regardless of plant location
- Experienced workforce: Mexican automotive manufacturing dates back decades, with skilled labor pools
- Quality metrics: Internal Toyota data shows comparable quality between Mexican and U.S.-built vehicles
- Parts commonality: Many components still come from the same suppliers as when Tacomas were built in the U.S.
Toyota’s reputation for quality depends on consistent standards across all manufacturing locations, giving the company strong incentives to maintain equivalent build quality in its Mexican operations.
Future Outlook for Tacoma Production
Looking ahead, several trends will shape Tacoma manufacturing:
- Increased hybridization: Both Mexican plants will produce more electrified Tacomas
- Capacity expansion: Further investments likely as Tacoma demand continues growing
- Supply chain localization: More parts suppliers moving to Mexico to reduce logistics costs
- Potential electrification: Infrastructure being prepared for possible full-electric Tacoma variants
Toyota’s $1.45 billion investment in 2024 signals long-term commitment to Mexican Tacoma production, securing its manufacturing footprint for years to come.
Understanding Your Tacoma’s Origins
Want to know where your specific Tacoma was built? Here’s how:
- VIN check: The first character in your Vehicle Identification Number indicates country of manufacture (3 = Mexico)
- Build date: Manufacturing date on driver’s door jamb sticker shows when your truck was assembled
- Window sticker: Original window stickers list assembly plant information
After 2021 model year Tacomas, all units come from one of the two Mexican facilities.
The Tacoma’s Manufacturing Evolution Reflects Industry Trends
The Tacoma’s journey from California to Texas to Mexico illustrates broader automotive industry patterns: globalization, cost optimization, and the complex interplay between trade policy and manufacturing decisions.
While some buyers may prefer American-made vehicles, Toyota’s Mexican production investment ensures the Tacoma remains competitive in price while funding the advanced technology that keeps this midsize pickup at the head of its class.
For Toyota Tacoma fans, understanding where and how their trucks are built adds another dimension to appreciating these capable pickups that continue to conquer both on-road commutes and off-road adventures—regardless of where their assembly line journey began.
