I'm wondering if anybody can help me with a VIN question. I have a 2013 Ridgeline, but this is more of a generic question. Mainly, it's because I'm considering buying a Fit in addition to let my daughter use it for college, and I'm concerned about quality issues between Mexico-made cars versus Japanese-made cars. In 2014, Honda moved all of Fit production to Mexico, but there is allegedly a short run of Japanese made Fits ending soon.
I'm confused about the discussions as to decoding the VIN when considering those manufactured in Japan vs Mexico. In discussions about plant manufacture location, it seems that Fit owners/buyers are focused on first three WMI designation only.
My question relates to the 11th digit in the various VINs and what that really means relative to the WMI code. If I have a preference, I'm trying to avoid "made in Mexico" cars.
For example, local dealers with Fits around where I live mostly have VINs similar the following:
JHMGK5H54GXxxxxxx
The JHM WMI code shows Honda Japan as the manufacturer, but the 11th digit shows the assembly/plant as El Salto, Mexico.
But there are a very few VINs with local dealers that are similar to the following:
3HGGK5H9XGMxxxxxx
That decodes as being manufactured by Honda Mexico, but the location of the assembly/plant is Hamamatsu, Japan.
I don't understand what this really means. Is this really the case that the JHM cars are from Japan but assembled in Mexico and the other with the 3HG code is made in Mexico but assembled in Japan?
Can anyone shed light on this with some evidence? As to the two examples above, which one is more accurately "made" in Mexico?
I'm confused about the discussions as to decoding the VIN when considering those manufactured in Japan vs Mexico. In discussions about plant manufacture location, it seems that Fit owners/buyers are focused on first three WMI designation only.
My question relates to the 11th digit in the various VINs and what that really means relative to the WMI code. If I have a preference, I'm trying to avoid "made in Mexico" cars.
For example, local dealers with Fits around where I live mostly have VINs similar the following:
JHMGK5H54GXxxxxxx
The JHM WMI code shows Honda Japan as the manufacturer, but the 11th digit shows the assembly/plant as El Salto, Mexico.
But there are a very few VINs with local dealers that are similar to the following:
3HGGK5H9XGMxxxxxx
That decodes as being manufactured by Honda Mexico, but the location of the assembly/plant is Hamamatsu, Japan.
I don't understand what this really means. Is this really the case that the JHM cars are from Japan but assembled in Mexico and the other with the 3HG code is made in Mexico but assembled in Japan?
Can anyone shed light on this with some evidence? As to the two examples above, which one is more accurately "made" in Mexico?