Honda to Export American-Made Integra and Passport to Japan

In a historic move, Honda will begin exporting the Acura Integra Type S and Honda Passport TrailSport Elite, both manufactured in the United States, to Japan in the second half of 2026. This marks the first time Acura models will be sold in Japan, coinciding with the brand’s 40th anniversary.

Reversing Imports: A Shift in Trade Dynamics

The decision to export these U.S.-made vehicles comes after a trade deal facilitated by a previous US President opened the Japanese market to American car imports. This mirrors a strategy Honda pioneered in 1988, becoming the first Japanese automaker to import U.S.-made models – the Accord sedan and Gold Wing motorcycles – for sale in Japan. Today, trade imbalances and relaxed import restrictions are driving Japanese automakers to consider similar measures, with Toyota also promoting U.S. Model exports and Nissan evaluating plans to do the same.

Model Specifications and Production

The Acura Integra Type S will retain its U.S. Specifications, including left-hand drive, when it goes on sale in Japan. It features a 2.0-liter turbocharged K20C engine producing 320 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The Integra is produced at Honda’s Marysville, Ohio plant. The Honda Passport TrailSport Elite, the flagship off-road version of the fourth-generation mid-size crossover, boasts a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and is assembled at the Lincoln Plant in Alabama.

Production and Sales Expectations

Industry forecasts estimate Honda’s U.S. Plants will produce approximately 21,000 Integra and 60,000 Passport vehicles this year. Though, analysts predict combined annual sales of the two models in Japan will likely remain between 5,000 and 6,000 units, due to the left-hand drive configuration. Despite this, Honda anticipates demand in the Japanese market for both vehicles.

Industry Reaction

Some American Honda dealers have expressed reservations, noting the competitive U.S. Market requires maximizing all available resources. However, Honda officials emphasize their pride in exporting quality vehicles built by American workers to Japanese customers. Jun Jayaraman, Honda of America’s senior vice president of the Manufacturing Management Center, stated, “From the onset, Honda has believed in our American manufacturing talent, and we are proud to export quality vehicles built by our associates in Alabama to Honda customers in Japan.”

Sales Performance in the U.S.

In 2025, Acura sold 20,178 Integras in the U.S., representing a 9.1% market share in the luxury compact car segment, with the Type S version accounting for over 10% of those sales. Honda sold 55,231 Passports in the U.S. Last year, a 70.4% increase, with the TrailSport version comprising approximately 80% of sales.