The current inpire/TL (~2000-2003) are not based on the Vigor. They are based on the 5-link rear suspension 98+ Accord. The Vigor shared nearly nothing with any other car save maybe the same year Legend. It's front K-member even had to be lengthened hugely in order to hold the inline 5cylinder G-series engine. The inline 5 was even inclined like early inline six engines in order to preserve a low hoodline. At least the Vigor had a 5-speed option.

 

if you bought it here, it's USDM regardless of the production content or final assembly point.

final assembly point determines the first letter of the VIN.
1 = united states
2 = canada
3 = mexico
5 = uk
J = japan

import regulations require the manufacturer to disclose the approximate percentages of work done by location. if your drivetrain was built in japan, shipped over and dropped in while at the ohio plant, it's gonna have a VIN w/the number 1 at the beginning, and show a percentage source from japan as well as usa (and other areas possibly)

all different localities have letters...those are just the only ones you'll find on USDM hondas.

in case anyone is wondering...you'll find some of new CR-V's and civic si's coming from the UK w/a 5 leading the VIN.

 

I don't think the term USDM exist truely, I was simply using it to state production area of origin.

You will find that there are both 100% Japanesse made and 100% American made Accord Products--and some down the middle. End of story.

Basically if you go to temple of vtec you can easily see the production numbers per month. It even brakes up imported and domestically sourced of the same model.

However, I am under the impression honda doesn't have to many plants outside the US producing the J-series engine. I currently think Ohio and Alabama are the two states producing this engine. Anyone a Honda plant junky to confirm?

 

usdm is just the term used to describe cars that are designed for sale in the us market - meeting federal safety and emissions laws, and appealing to the market at hand. jdm cars have to adhere to different emission rules, and have RHD instead of LHD. there are many domestic markets...look at the thailand 03 accord...it has power folding mirrors i suppose thats the TDM version?

USDM/JDM/EDM isn't really referring to point of manufacture, rather intended sale location.

 

I said "before the current gen Inspire/TL"...

We all know that the first gen TL was based on the Vigor (2.5 I5 and 3.2 V6).
J-series engines? How about Ontario, Canada, where they build the MDX/Odyssey?

 

Hey, look what I found!

http://www.honda.co.jp/pressroom/library/auto/INSPIRE/