Acura to Ship American-Made Vehicles to Japan for the First Time in 40 Years

Honda is getting ready to send the powerful Integra Type S and a popular Passport SUV from the United States to Japan later this year

Here’s something you don’t hear every day. After nearly four decades, Acura is finally sending cars built in the United States to Japan. It might sound simple, but this is actually a big moment for the brand.

Since it started back in 1986, Acura has always been focused on North America. If you were in Japan, you wouldn’t even see an Acura badge. Instead, those same cars were sold as Honda models. That’s why this move feels different. For the first time, Japanese buyers will get the real Acura experience.

The first car making the trip is the Acura Integra Type S. If you’re into sporty cars, this one stands out. It’s fast, sharp-looking, and built for people who actually enjoy driving. With around 320 horsepower, it’s not just for daily use, it’s for fun too. That alone could make it attractive to car enthusiasts in Japan who want something unique.

Along with it, Honda is also sending the Honda Passport TrailSport Elite. This SUV is more about comfort and adventure. It’s spacious, strong, and designed for both city roads and light off-road trips. There are also talks about the Honda Ridgeline joining later, though that hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Now here’s the interesting part. These cars will stay exactly the way they are in the U.S. That means left-hand drive in a country where people drive on the other side. So yes, they won’t be for everyone. Experts believe sales will stay limited, somewhere around a few thousand units a year. But that’s kind of the point.

This move is not about big numbers. It’s about offering something different. There’s a group of buyers in Japan who like imported cars that feel special. The Integra Type S, especially with an Acura badge, could grab a lot of attention.

There’s also a bigger picture behind this. The U.S. imports far more cars from Japan than it exports. By sending some vehicles the other way, Honda is taking a small step toward balancing that gap.

Still, not everyone is happy. Some dealers in the U.S. feel Honda should focus more on the local market, especially after a tough year with supply issues and strong competition. They worry about losing focus when the market is already demanding.

But Honda seems confident. Since only a few models are being exported, it’s unlikely to affect supply in the U.S. in any major way.

At the end of the day, this is more than just shipping cars. It’s a moment that shows how the auto industry keeps changing. And for Acura, it’s like finally bringing its own name home after 40 years.