Lexus cars: who and where manufactures them
“Lexus” – the brainchild of the concern “Toyota”, that is, the country of the manufacturer in this case – Japan. However, Lexus has its own logo, not the characteristic letter “T”, consisting of two ovals. The fact is that when “Toyota” was developing a line of expensive cars, local experts conducted a survey and found that the brand evokes associations with affordable products. For a premium car, this perception is tantamount to failure before it even enters the market. Therefore, the company launched a new label and began to actively promote it, not too flaunting belonging to an already well-known brand.
At first, they wanted to call the car “Alexis,” but this would have suggested a character from a popular American TV movie, and as a result of naming, the word was transformed into “Lexus.
The Japanese managed to present their new car just in time – expensive cars began to gain popularity in the States. Later the brand spread all over the world, and the company opened a branch in Canada, to assemble the cars on another continent and not to overestimate their cost, which is not too small even before.
“Lexus” of Japanese assembling.
There are several large plants owned by Toyota Motors in Japan where Lexus cars are assembled:
- The GS300/400/430 LS430 models are produced from production facilities located in Aichi province.
- The Lexus ES300 model comes off the assembly line of the plant located in the city of Toyota (it is quite symbolic that the city and the concern, where Toyota cars are assembled, have the same name).
- RX330 and ES300 models are produced in the shops in Osaka.
“Lexus” Japanese assembled may have other names (this is due to the reasons described above – the creation of a separate brand for the American public), which causes a lot of confusion among consumers:
- IS 200/300 – “Toyota Altesa.”
- GS 300/400 – “Toyota Aristo”;
- LS 400 – “Toyota Celsior.”
- LX 470 – “Toyota Cygnus”;
- RX 300 – “Toyota Harrier”;
- SC 300/400, Toyota Soarer;
- ES 300 – “Toyota Windom.”
Japanese plants are focused primarily on the domestic market, as well as Asia, Russia and Europe. Manufacturing and equipment features depend on the climatic conditions of different countries, where the cars are exported to. In addition, there are modifications with left or right hand drive – depending on the rules adopted in a particular country.
“Lexus” for the warm countries of Asia and the Middle East
This modification has no seat heating function, the automatic transmission is equipped with a lever for manual shifting.
Car mirrors can be folded, there is no protection against freezing and condensation at low temperatures. The upholstery of the seats is made of breathable material.
Built-in stereo supports different media, as well as radio, which does not catch Russian and most European radio stations, since it is aimed at a different frequency range. There is no anti-theft system.
“Lexus” for Europe and the cold countries of Asia.
There is heated seats, windows and even wipers. The anti-theft system works, the gearbox is adjusted so that it was possible to start driving from the second speed, bypassing the first (it is convenient in the cold season).
The suspension system can be adjusted at its own discretion, depending on the road conditions.
Almost all models for sale on the North American continent are assembled in Canada, except for the Lexus MX 200.
“The Lexus is assembled in Canada.
They are manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) in Ontario, which has been a permanent branch of Japanese production for many years and whose experience in assembling cars is not in doubt with the founding company.
In Russia, they often berate the Canadian assembly and praise the Japanese, but in fact they are carried out according to the same standards, just North American modifications are oriented to local conditions.
Canadian “Lexus” models are not equipped with the fender indicator lights. There’s also no parking radar, which helps you maneuver better when you need to park your car within the clear confines of the allotted space.
The rearview mirrors can’t be folded down. The transmission is fully automatic: you can set it to start from second speed, but you can’t control the process manually. The speedometer shows the speed in miles per hour, but there is also a kilometer scale.
The radio in the built-in radio recorder also does not catch Russian radio stations.
“Lexus for the Russian consumer.
In our country there are no factories for the production of “Lexus” cars, only car dealerships, where you can buy ready-made, as well as car markets, where used options are presented. Thus, for Russia, transportation costs are added to the cost of Lexus.
And while official dealers can recommend you a model of suitable build and configuration, private sellers can only offer what they have, and this is fraught with unpleasant surprises. Before buying, it is necessary to inspect the car carefully and check all of its functions, and it is even better to drive it to a service station first and ask a professional’s opinion.
A few years ago, they also wanted to open a Lexus production in Russia, but then came the law that controls the purchase of premium cars officials and officials. Since Lexus is in demand among the wealthy, its sales were too small to open a plant for its assembly.
Who assembles Lexus cars and where?
Lexus is synonymous with comfort and luxury, every detail of the car is carefully thought out: from the mirrored lacquer coating and sound of doors closing to interior solutions. We tell in the article who and where models of this brand are assembled.
- 3 Japanese,
- 1 Canadian,
- 1 American.
There are no plans to build assembly plants in Russia. Below is information about the locations of factories and produced cars.
↑ Plants where Lexus cars are produced.
↑ Tahara, Japan.
The main manufacturing plant is located in Tahara, Aichi prefecture. Here they assemble popular models GX, LS, LX, IS, as well as RC F and RC.
Covering an area of about 4,000,000 m 2, the factory has direct access to the port, where the cars are delivered to America, Australia, England, Russia and other countries.
Assembly conditions and professionalism of craftsmen are considered to be among the best in the world. The obligatory “shower” of air, which “washes” the dust off the workers at the entrances to the buildings, is worth mentioning.
↑ Kyushu Island, Japan
The first subsidiary company outside of Aichi, opened in 1991 in Fukuoka prefecture, and the second most important, given the volume and variety of machines produced. Cars are designed for Japanese and world customers. CT, ES, IS, NX, RX and UX models are produced here.
The total area of the plants is about 1,800,000 m 2 . Casting, some assembly operations, and machining are performed in Kokura and Kanda. Miyata is used for bodywork, final assembly and painting.
↑ Motomachi, Japan.
The second most important subsidiary of the parent company Toyota is located in Aichi Prefecture. It produces GS F and GS models.
To make room in Tahara for the production of the RC F and RC range, Motomachi moved the assembly of the GS line from August 2014. Machines produced are shipped to both the Japanese and global markets.
↑ Cambridge, Canada
The first production facility outside of Japan is located in Ontario and consists of 3 separate factories in the southern, western and northern parts of the city. “The southern branch has been producing the famous RX model since 2003. Main sales direction: North America.
The total production area – 1 300 000 m 2. The company’s team has repeatedly won awards for the quality of its work. The path to the assembly line goes through the showroom so that employees are always mindful of the character of the vehicle they build.
↑ Georgetown, USA
Thanks to a $360,000,000 investment, the existing Toyota Motors plant in Ketucky was prepared for Lexus production: a new assembly line and 750 additional jobs were created to do so. It has been producing the ES 350 since 2015, a model particularly popular in North America.
The main purpose of the production is to relieve the burden of producing the ES 350 from Kyushu, freeing up forces to produce other ES models and their hybrids. The Georgetown plant is expected to produce up to 50,000 cars a year.
↑ Differences between American-built and Japanese-built cars
Models assembled in America differ from the original models – their production focuses on maximum power and comfort of the car. The standard configuration can be supplemented with different useful options, may differ engine displacement, etc.
And if you are interested in cars of American origin, do not miss our article about the Ford brand.
In Russia comes mainly Japanese cars, which is due to transport accessibility and which model is more adapted to harsh climatic conditions.
Russian owners of the American-built brand note the excellent quality and convenient operation. Cars Lexus, regardless of origin, are well suited for Russia.
