Parts Available Only in Japan

The low voltage NIMH "solar panel battery", associated harnesses , controller and the panel itself

 

You wouldn't be able to install those parts on a US Prime practically.

However, for whatever reason, the solar panel option in the Japanese and European-market cars has its own dedicated NiMH battery, so you'd have three batteries in a car with that option - the Li-ion traction pack, the NiMH solar pack, and the lead acid 12 V pack.

 

Right ... the solar roof. Though I don't know if that's an "after market" part or you can only order it when you first get your car. Actually does anyone know? In Japan, can the solar roof be added on afterwards, or is it one of those things that the car must be built with it in the first place?

 

Seeing as it replaces the roof panel, that'll be a factory option.

 

I think people are curious to know Japan price list.
For many things like Gen4 NiMH vs. Li battery options, PiP HV Battery, Prime HV Battery, and solar roof components.
At the moment I am not aware of a part you'd personally need to purchase while in Japan vs. here in USA.

 

Sometimes the HNK ECU software is superior to our EPA version.

 

I’d be surprised to find any original parts on a Toyota vehicle built for the U.S. market that wouldn’t be available, if at all, from a U.S. dealer. If the parts aren’t in stock at a distribution center or either of the North American Parts Centers (in California and Kentucky), Toyota will ship them from Japan, or wherever they’re made, at no extra cost, though sometimes with a delay for ocean freight.

It’s different for Genuine Toyota Accessories; compare the limited selection offered in the U.S. with the Prius PHV accessory catalog on toyota.jp and the Toyota TRD catalog (both in Japanese). Remember, though, that some accessories from Japan wouldn’t be compatible with left-hand drive cars (like interior appliqués designed for the reversed instrument panel layout), but others would work just fine, though the installation instructions may be written only in Japanese.

Several companies, such as IMPEX JAPAN, JP-CarParts.com, and Amayama Trading, are in the business of exporting new auto parts and accessories from Japan, and the search features on their websites often provide prices. Only JP-CarParts.com seems to have the parts catalog illustrations for the current Prius models (and then only the Japanese versions), but I expect any of the companies can order the same parts, once you know the ten-digit or twelve-digit Toyota part number.

There is one important caveat, however: the exporters’ inventory comes from regional Toyota parts sales companies (トヨタ部品共販, kyōhan) serving the Japanese domestic market, so they generally can’t get parts that are used only on vehicles made for export. For example, they could sell a hybrid vehicle control computer for the (Japanese) Prius PHV, model code ZVW52-AHXGB, part number 89981-47860 or 89981-47880, but not the equivalent part for the (U.S.) Prius Prime, model code ZVW52L-AHXGBA, part number 89981-47830; I believe Toyota sells the latter part only to their U.S. subsidiaries and distributors.

I’ve bought some spare parts and accessories from IMPEX JAPAN, who generally sell at the Japanese list price; for many items, this is less than the lowest prices at U.S. dealers selling online. Shipping is by international express mail (EMS) from Japan, with postage from ¥2000, and you can’t buy anything too large, heavy, or dangerous to be mailed—forget about batteries of any kind. If the shipment is valued at less than the de minimis limit ($800), U.S. Customs collects no duties or fees, though you might owe use tax to your home state.

That may be, but as you probably know, ECUs with non-U.S. software may not report the expected calibration IDs during an emissions inspection (smog check), if they implement the required interfaces at all, and unless you replace all the ECUs, they may not interoperate.

 

That's what I figured. Too bad it can't be bought as an add-on (though I understand why).

As for Japanese (or outside US) parts... I know there will be certain regional requirements (such as strict US safety standards) that might make a Prime in one country slightly different than in others, but at least compared to previous cars I've had (mostly Hondas, so maybe this is a normal Toyota thing) but the Prius lines (including the Prime) seem to be more "international" than "US Version". Not only the miles/km and F/C options (for which you could possibly sing a verse of "Blame Canada!"), but even a 12/24 clock option (which you'd generally only find outside of North America). I guess it makes it easier (and cheaper) for Toyota that way.

The US Primes seem all seem to be made in Japan. Does Toyota manufacture the Prime outside of Japan for other markets, or are all PHV/Primes sold anywhere in the world made in Japan?

 

...as far as I know, all Prius and Prime are made in Japan

 

A bit off topic: I am a big fan of a Japanese outdoor gear company (rain and down jackets, packs, tents, sleeping bags, etc.) called Mont-Bell. They make very light high quality stuff at moderate prices, have been in business 20+ years, are based in Osaka, have stores all over Japan but chose a European sounding name. I learned about them by searching on line for reviews of super light rain packable jackets. I have their lightest breathable rain jacket. It is full featured but packs into a very small stuff sack.

I recently got back from a tour of Japan. There happened to be a Mont-Bell store next to the hotel we stayed at in Tokyo. I didn't need anything but bought a nifty ripstop nylon wallet for about $8.00 U.S. Our guide had seen Mont-bell stores and people wearing their gear but thought it was a foreign company.

They have two stores in the U.S: in Boulder, Colorado and Portland, Oregon. Since we live in Colorado and our daughter lives in Portland (walking distance from the Portland store), I have been to both. At the U.S. stores they had both U.S. sizes and Japanese sizes. I found that a Japanese large fit me a bit better than a U.S. medium.

Anyway, I thought you might be interested. They have stores in Yokohama. Here is a link to their U.S. and Japanese sites:
Montbell - JAPAN
Montbell America - Light & Fast Outdoor Clothing and Equipment

While in Japan, I saw many Prius on the road. I wasn't a fan of the gen 4 styling, but they seem to fit in better there and now look better to me over here. perspectives change.

Enjoy your trip!

 

I guess it depends on what you are comparing it to. I thought there were a lot, mostly gen 3 but quite a few gen 2 or 4. I am comparing that to Colorado where Subarus reign. Maybe they are more common where you live. We were in Tokyo, Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka.

 

I want the carbon fiber car handle cups (prevents scratching), driver support iillumination, back door reflection, scuff plate, slide type arm rest, side window chrome accent, and pillar garnish (c pillar)

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Maybe try and snag a Crown Super Saloon emblem which you can then stick onto your Prime

 

It will be great if you can help me get the OEM side window visors from Japan:

 

Although directly below that it says "The seller for the item you selected does not deliver to your selected location"



Which for me is Georgia but I am guessing they don't ship to anywhere in the U.S. At least not through Amazon, perhaps contacting the sellers directly (there are two of them listed) they might be able to work something out.