Traditionally, cars were associated with their home country, since only a handful of countries produced cars. But in an increasingly globalized automotive industry, some of the largest vehicle manufacturers now have production plants in nearly every part of the world, including surprising continents such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Central and Southern Europe. These companies have outsourced labor from labor-intensive segments to cut production costs while maximizing their profits.
In many instances, these vehicles are made by local companies under licenses. Some are assembled from knock-down or semi-knock-down kits and supplied by the mother company. Below is a list of cars that are manufactured in surprising countries.
9 2021 Honda Civic Type R – England
The Civic is among the most iconic Honda models ever made. Its newest model, the 2021 Type R, is an entertaining four-door hatchback that delivers on all fronts. The Japanese automaker manufactures the Civic models in many different parts of the world, including the USA, Japan, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Honda manufactures the Civic for UK buyers at the Honda factory in Swindon, England. Its production started in 1994, and currently, the Swindon plant has a production capacity of 250,000 vehicles per annum. The Swindon-based plant handles the Civic Type R and Civic hatchback, and plans to close at the end of the current model's production lifecycle and move to plants in other regions.
8 2021 Chevy Trailblazer – South Korea
The Trailblazer is one of the best and most popular Chevrolet models worldwide. The nameplate was first introduced in 2001 and served as the first generation until 2008. In 2012, GM redesigned the model for the second generation in Thailand and Brazil and sold it in select South-Asian countries.
The new Chevy Trailblazer models are currently manufactured and assembled at the GM plant in South Korea. The all-new Trailblazers are available for sale in dozens of export markets worldwide. Buyers looking forward to the new Chevy Trailblazer enjoy its attractive appearance, roomy passenger and cargo space, and a relatively comfortable ride.
7 2021 Audi Q7 – Slovakia
The 2021 Audi Q7 is built upon what is already one of the most compelling picks for a mid-size luxury SUV. It eschews posh interiors, improved tech features, and a turbocharged V6 engine providing an excellent ride quality.
The German automobile is produced and assembled by Volkswagen Slovakia. The Bratislava plant of Volkswagen is the only car-producing plant globally that manufactures five brands under one roof — Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda, SEAT, and Porsche. The Bratislava plant works in hand with the Martin plant and Stupava plant in Slovakia to develop the new Q7.
6 2021 Jeep Renegade – Italy
Jeep Renegade's new model is a tiny and fun SUV that offers an exciting driving experience. The sub-compact crossover comes with off-road capabilities and a removable sunroof, making it a pack mule in a class of mall cruisers. It also has an off-road trim, the Trailhawk, that can handle rugged terrain.
While most Jeeps are made in America, Jeep has ten plants in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, China, India, and Italy. Since the first Jeep Renegade debuted in 2014, it's only been built in Italy, Brazil, and China. The 2021 Jeep Renegade is manufactured and assembled at FCA's Melfi plant in Italy.
5 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB – Mexico
The new 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB is a luxury compact SUV that offers a high-end interior with easy-to-use tech features, seating for up to seven passengers, and plenty of cargo space. The GLB rides comfortably on rough surfaces and feels relatively agile and composed through turns.
The new GLB model is now built at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The German automaker choice of the Aguascalientes plant is because it offers significantly cheaper labor and because Mexico has a robust automotive network that supports automobile companies. The GLB is a good alternative for soft-roaders like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.
4 2021 Buick Envision – China
The 2021 Buick Envision is a small five-passenger SUV between the smaller Encore and the larger three-row Enclave. Its interior is nicely tailored and hosts more advanced standard driver-assist features, a fully equipped infotainment, and a new turbocharged engine. The new model rides quietly at highway speeds and smooth over bumps.
Like the first-generation Buick Envision, produced in the SAIC-GM Dongyue North plant, the 2021 Buick Envision is also manufactured in China but in a different plant, the SAIC-GM Jinqiao South plant. The new Envision models are then shipped from China to the US, Canada, Mexico, and China, where the Buick brand is available.
3 2021 Ford EcoSport – India
The new Ford EcoSport is an affordable small compact SUV that offers a sporty performance. The EcoSport interior eschews heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver's seat, automatic climate control, and a power moonroof. Its infotainment comes equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interface features.
The new Ford EcoSport models are manufactured and assembled at the Ford Chennai plant in India and sold in the United States, China, Thailand, Russia, and India, where there is a market demand for the Ford EcoSport.
2 2021 Toyota GR Supra – Austria
For more than two decades off the market, the Japanese automaker decided to dig out and dust off the pre-eminent sports car, now dubbed the GR Supra. The GR Supra new model comes with a 3.0-liter I6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing a decent 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque.
The 2021 Toyota GR Supra models are manufactured and assembled in Magna Steyr's plant at Graz, Austria. The Magna Steyr's plant also manufactures the Mercedes G-Class, BMW 5 Series models, the BMW Z4, and the E-Pace models for Jaguar Land Rover.
1 2021 Chevy Spark – South Korea
Many automakers have discontinued their extra-small cars and shifted their focus to extra-small SUVs in recent years. But Chevrolet continues to groom the Chevy subcompact hatchback to be more desirable. Some of the high virtues of the 2021 Spark include good fuel economy and an affordable price.
The 2021 Spark is one of the few Chevrolet models made overseas. It is manufactured in GM's Changwon Plant in South Korea. Initially, the Spark was produced and sold in Korea by Daewoo Motors until later, when GM Korea took control of the company and started exporting the Sparks.