Which character of VIN means Mexican built?

[1986Kar]

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[K-CAR_WAGON]

In 1988 VIN, the most significant digit designated as digit #1 (leftmost) 1= US, 2 = canada, 3 = mexico. Also digit 11 should have a T for Tocula Assembly plant #1.

[1986Kar]

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[K-CAR_WAGON]

Yes, not 1 not US built. I suspect that alot of Canadian build K-cars were sold the US and vice-versa. My grandfather's 66 Dart, which he purchased new, was Canadian built, and I think my brother's 91 Spirit which he also bought new was also Canadian built. For some years I think some models or cars with particular options were only built in Canada or only built in the US to save on costs. I am not quite sure on the breakdown for K-cars.

Not quite sure about Mexico built cars being sold into the US market.

I don't know that the K-car club has ever tracked the build country/plant of members cars.

[nszotovich]

Windsor, Ontario is just across the the river from Detroit, so it was just a question of costs. My 85 Caravan (and 97) were made in Canada.
At the time, I don't think any Mexican cars were sold here. They are now!
Nick

[88AriesLEwagon]

All 1989 K bodies were made in Mexico.This is one reason for no wagons in 1989,only one US plant assembled those.There was a big outcry by UAW rank and file for shifting production south.They made a big deal out of the fact that the Ks were Chryslers last hope,their last saving grace,and now (1988) they were to make them in Mexico.
Well,it was only to make room for AA bodies and their variants.The K car wasnt dead totally,just the sheetmetal and pricing changed when the Spirits/Acclaims appeared.

[1986Kar]

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[88AriesLEwagon]

Thats interesting.Yes,I was under the idea that all 89s were Mexico built,hence the outrage by the UAW auto workers.Wonder when it was built? The Ks were ousted from this country due to the low pricing,the final model year,and to make room for the Spirit/Acclaim cars.The stopgap was to fill the pipeline with cars until the much higher priced AAs came along.No Ks were made after calendar 1988.Sales continued until spring 1989 to get rid of the stock.Chrysler didnt want the cheaper Ks to steal the thunder of the new,fancy,roomier,more comfortable AAs so they werent manufactured and sold at the same time (other than leftovers).$2000 more and with no 2 door (or wagon) body styles...I personally never liked the hood/grille arrangement where they were connected to each other,like the RAM pickups.

Seems Chrysler wanted to ditch the K wagons years before,I remember reading a sales binder on a salesmans desk,for the 1985 models,it said that Chrysler was to de-emphasise K wagons in favor of minivan sales.To use the Ks only when a customer is forcing the price issue or hung up on gas mileage.

[88AriesLEwagon]

OK,this article back in the day,will shed some light on what happened.Some were US made.
http://articles.latimes.com/1988-04-27/ ... nt-closing

[K-CAR_WAGON]

Currently, 4 89 Aries are for sale on line 2 are Mexican builds and 2 are US builds. That article explains it.