Acura has announced plans to export the U.S.-built Acura Integra Type S to Japan, with sales scheduled to begin in 2026. The high-performance model will become the first Acura-branded vehicle officially sold in Japan, coinciding with the brand’s 40th anniversary. Acura is widely recognized as the first Japanese premium automobile brand introduced in the U.S. market.
The Acura Integra Type S, regarded as the most powerful and best-performing version of the Integra to date, is manufactured exclusively at the Marysville Auto Plant. The facility assembles the model using a combination of domestically sourced and globally supplied components.
Powering the vehicle is the K20C engine, which is produced exclusively at the Anna Engine Plant. The same engine facility also manufactures the powertrain used in the Honda Civic Type R, another performance model that is exported to Japan.
The move highlights Acura’s strategy to expand its global presence while showcasing U.S.-built performance vehicles in international markets.
“Building Acura models in America for the past thirty years has been a source of immense pride, and now exporting the American‑built Integra Type S to Japan takes that pride to a new level,” said Jun Jayaraman, senior vice president of the Manufacturing Management Center at Honda Development & Manufacturing of America. “Our Ohio associates pour their expertise and passion into every vehicle, and we’re excited for customers in Japan to experience the performance they create.”
Honda exhibited the Acura Integra Type S at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 and Osaka Auto Messe 2026, held in January and February 2026, respectively, where many visitors expressed excitement over the possibility of the model being available for the Japan market.
In March 1988, Honda became the first Japanese automaker to import its own U.S.-made vehicles to Japan, with a shipment of Accord Coupe automobiles and Gold Wing GL1500 motorcycles made at Honda plants in Marysville, Ohio, USA. Since beginning overseas exports of U.S.-made automobiles in 1987, Honda has exported more than 1.75 million Acura and Honda vehicles to global markets. This includes nearly 300,000 vehicle exports to Japan.
A perennial top seller in the premium sport compact segment in America since its launch in 2022, the Acura Integra consistently commands about 35% of retail sales in the segment. Integra Type S has been especially important to Acura in attracting the youngest buyers in its segment with the high-performance Type S variant representing over 10% of the Integra sales mix.
