It's hard to be certain, since Toyota doesn't publish stats like this, but I'd guess shortly after the TMMK plant opened in Georgetown KY in the late 80's. When the Gen3 Camry came out in '92, J-VIN Camrys were scarce. Are they better?... Not in any significant way, IMHO. I certainly wouldn't pay more for one, nor seek them out. If you drive older models with some parts no longer available from Toyota, it's a pain to have one when they take a different part, as they're hard to find in junkyards.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Motor_Manufacturing_Kentucky

 

Okay,


Here's my input:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Camry_(XV10)


The Toyota Camry (XV10) is a mid-size car that was produced by Toyota between 1991 and 1996 in Japan and North America, and 1993 and 1997 in Australia. The XV10 series represented the third generation of the Toyota Camry in all markets outside Japan, which followed a different generational lineage. The XV10 Camry range is split into different model codes indicative of the engine. Four-cylinder models utilize the SXV10/SDV10 codes, with VCV10 designating the six-cylinder versions, and MCV10 the later six-cylinder cars in North America only.


In its home market of Japan, the XV10 Camry iteration was known as the Toyota Scepter. This was due to the Camry name being adopted by a smaller version of the same car in Japan, similar in size the previous generation compact-sized Camry sold globally.
In Australia, the third generation Camry was sold under three names. Along with the Camry itself, a version badged as the Holden Apollo was also sold as a result of a model sharing arrangement between GM Holden and Toyota at the time. Toyota from 1995 onwards, also began badging the six-cylinder versions of the Camry as the Toyota Vienta in the Australian-market.

 

I remember reading the Wall St Journal in 1989. The US built Camry was a major success straight out of the gate and took over as best seller sedan from the Ford Taurus around 88 or 89.

The Detroit Big 3 had pushed and won import restrictions on Japanese cars, Toyota responded with the US factory. No doubt in mind the big switch was either 88 or 89.

 

Educated guess is Kentucky produced Camry's outnumbered J-Vin in early 1995. The only glaring differences I've found is the struts and springs on KY built cars are much lower quality. The seat fabric is a bit different, as is trunk entry plate/trim and a few other minor things. In Canada we didn't get KY built cars in large numbers until the gen4.

 

Thanks so much for the responses.

I was all over the 'net trying to figure this out, but (other than Wiki, which doesn't help), I couldn't find much information on this particular question.

I have been in love with the Camrys since my first sighting of a Camry wagon. (And I don't know what year they started! Late 1980s?)

If Toyota sold a hybrid Camry station wagon, I would be all over that. I have seriously thought about buying an older Camry and having it modified into a wagon. I know that'd be pricey, but what the heck, right?

Thanks for replying.

 

I previously owned a 1998 Camry V6 built in Japan. I know that in 1998, Toyota was selling Camry V6's in the USA that were built in Japan and KY. The ones sold in the Western USA were mostly from Japan back then. Not sure about 4-cylinder models.

 

Many of the electrical connectors are different on the Japan Camrys. The bonding agent for the fabric on the inside door panels on the Japan models is not as good as on the Kentucky models.

 

Yes indeed!

Try for examples when I tried to change out the Clock Reel cable, that was FUN!:crying:

How about the freaking Automatic Transmission Selector Switch, got one from savage yard and it turned out to be a USA version switch and the connector form factor was totally different from my Original JAPAN Made. Resulted in disassembling the Original Japan made selector switch, cleaning it and reassembly! The Shifter moves like new.

AC switch dials are totally different between Japan (XLE Camry) and that of USA version.

I can go on and on!:crying:

 

I'm betting from the Gen3+, more 4-vin were made. As to how much Camry are either Kentucky or Japan... I can say a majority...if not ALL Camry here in Hawaii from 1983-2006 are all J-Vin. 2007-2011 is when some of the shift changed. All SE were made in Kentucky. LE/XLE were usually J-Vin from 2007-2009. 2010 -2011 is when I saw LE were 4-Vin and only the XLE were J-Vin, but even then it was hit and miss. There are exceptions though in the ones I see on island.

I found (so far)
-All CE trim 1997-2001 are ALL Kentucky built.
-All 5spd 1997-2001 are ALL Kentucky built. Not enough V6 data, but I can say all the I4 I've seen are all 4-Vin

The only dealership Toyota dealership we have here is Servco. From what I've read and looked up, Servco imports only set 'package' Camry to the islands. So more than likely, theres only a few 'setup' of the LE, XLE, SE packages. Anything different from the 'usual' package usually means it was a mainland brought over to the island Camry.

Personally I like the J-Vin stuff better than the 4-Vin. Some quality differences with the cars, but finding parts for the 4-Vin in the junkyard is fairly difficult for me.

 

...but finding parts for the 4-Vin in the junkyard is fairly difficult for me.

Hawaii has junkyards? OMG, I didn't know they had junkyards in paradise.