The Acura Integra Type S and Honda Passport will be reverse-imported from the US to Japan – but remain left-hand drive, ruling them out for Australia.
Honda has confirmed it will begin selling the US-built Acura Integra Type S and Honda Passport TrailSport in Japan – but they will remain left-hand drive.
The Integra Type S, a twin to the Honda Civic Type R, will be the first vehicle wearing the badges of Honda's luxury Acura brand to be sold in Japan.
It will be joined by the Honda Passport TrailSport Elite, an off-road-focused version of the brand's five-seat large SUV, with sales of both models set to begin later this year.
While the usually right-hand drive Japanese market allows the sale of new left-hand drive vehicles, this is not allowed in Australia, ruling out the Integra and Passport for local Honda showrooms.
Honda Australia has expressed interest in new-generation versions of global models, such as the Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, should they be developed with right-hand drive in mind.
A Honda US spokesperson told Automotive News the decision is due to "anticipated customer demand" in Japan, with "limited quantities" set to be imported from the US into the country.
The practice, known as 'reverse-importing', has also been implemented by Toyota, and is being evaluated by Nissan, as a result of trade discussions between the US and Japan.
Toyota will begin selling the US-built Highlander (Kluger), Camry and Tundra in Japan this year, despite already producing the Camry in Japan for several markets, including Australia.
Last month, Japan's transport ministry eased import rules for approved US-built vehicles, according to NHK World.
The eased rules will allow US-built vehicles to be sold in Japan without additional testing, if they have been authorised by Japan's transport minister and already meet US safety standards.
In Japan, Honda currently imports the right-hand drive CR-V and Accord from Thailand, while the WR-V city SUV is manufactured in India.
Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
