For new cars, do VIN numbers get created by manufacturers such as Lexus and assigned/affixed to the vehicles bound for the US pre-shipment, or are they assigned at the port once they arrive here?

 

from manufactures...i believe...it is like a lot number for traceability...plus the engine is stamped too and i highly doubt that they would do anything like that at the port...

 

VINs are definitely issued at the factory when the car is built. Lexus VINs can tell you alot about the car, which country & plant it was produced at, the engine type, model year & generation, # of airbags, etc. If you special ordered your car, once it is built, the factory is able to give you the VIN number, even if it hasn't reached port yet.