Lexus prides itself on the quality and craftsmanship built into the production of its cars. That much is evident from the mirror-like application of paintwork, the satisfying sound of a door closing, and the attention to detail of the interior. Those qualities were established during development but physically instituted at the manufacturing stage. Which often leads people to wonder where are Lexus cars made. In fact, where is each model constructed? How many manufacturing facilities does Lexus have? And are all of them in Japan?
Lexus currently has award-winning manufacturing facilities in two continents. Below is our list of the five plants, where they are located and what models they produce.
Tahara – Aichi, Japan
Lexus cars made: NX, RC F and LS
The Tahara facility in Japan was our first manufacturing site and has built every generation of LS from its introduction in 1989. Tahara was the first car plant in the industry to introduce a dedicated Customer Satisfaction line, and through its fusing of cutting-edge technology and human craftsmanship is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest car factories. Extending across over four million square metres, it has the benefit of direct port access for efficient shipping.
Kyushu – Fukuoka, Japan
Lexus cars made: UX (hybrid and BEV), NX, ES and RX
Arguably the manufacturing hub for Lexus in terms of volume and model variety, the multi-award-winning Kyushu plant was established in 1991 and is notable for being the first production facility located outside the parent company’s home prefecture of Aichi. Its three separate factories – Miyata, Kanda and Kokura – have a combined area of around 1.8 million square metres. Casting, machining and some sub-assembly work is carried out at Kanda and Kokura, with body construction, painting and final assembly carried out at Miyata.
Motomachi – Aichi, Japan
Lexus cars made: LC and LC Convertible
Motomachi is the second oldest production facility of parent company Toyota and covers an area of 1.6 million square metres. Yet its highly skilled workforce – almost half of which belong to the production engineering division – was chosen to pioneer the use of composite materials in construction and build the Lexus LFA hypercar. The LC continues this pioneering spirit with a specially tailored assembly line that is radically different from those seen in conventional car plants.
Cambridge – Ontario, Canada
Lexus cars made: RX and NX (from 2022)
The multi-award-winning Cambridge facility is split up into South, North and West plants, the South part of which has been building the popular RX model since 2003 and will produce the NX from 2022. Known for its highly skilled and quality-driven workforce, the 1.3 million square metre plant holds the distinction of being the first Lexus manufacturing facility located outside of Japan. Interestingly, team members heading to the assembly line pass through a replica Lexus showroom to remind them of the nature of the vehicle they are building.
Georgetown – Kentucky, USA
Lexus cars made: ES
The Kentucky plant is the company’s largest global production facility. More than $7 billion has been invested in the plant as it has grown in size and responsibility, and it now has a total annual production capacity of 550,000 units. Kentucky started producing the popular ES 350 saloon for the North American market in order to take pressure off Kyushu, which continued to produce other ES and ES hybrid models. Since May 2019, however, Kentucky has begun production of the ES 300h with an annual capacity of 12,000 units.
Learn more: Who are the takumi craftsmen that oversee production?
Learn more: Quality begins at home
Hi, where will my Lexus RX L 450h Takumi be built please?
Also, it will come with front and rear dashcams fitted, but I can’t find out anything about the operation of those either in the manual or on the web.
Any information will be gratefully received.
Thank you and regards
Ray
Hello Ray,
Thank you for contacting Lexus.
The RX is manufactured in the Kyushu Plant in Japan.
Furthermore, your Lexus Centre would be best placed to advise you on the use of your dashcams.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Hi, just wanted to check on our order for Lexus Rx450h, was told it will arrive Feb.’22, now March 16th but the dealer (Woodford Lexus) said this might change. Just need to know if it’s built or what stage of the process, as we recently disposed of our car based on Feb’22 date.
Hello Gbemisola,
Thank you for contacting Lexus.
Your Lexus Centre would be best placed to assist with you this query.
Thanks.
Hi,
Cam you please advise whether Canada or Japan supply the NX to the UK?
Thanks.
Hello Andrew,
Thanks for your question.
The NX for the UK market is manufactured in Japan.
Thanks.
Hi
Out of interest, can you advise on how long it takes to build an NX, from start to finish, to decide a family debate.
Thanks in advance
Nick
Hello Nick,
Unfortunately, we do not have this information available.
Thanks.
I have just been told that my new NX plug in hybrid will not be delivered in June now & will come in September instead. Even though they showed me a print out of the deliver from you. They are telling me that you have a delay in the manufacturing. Do you have a delay ?
Hello Antony,
Thanks for your comment.
Like many other businesses, Lexus are currently experiencing delays in the global supply chain for some of our components and this has unfortunately led to longer delivery times on some of our more popular new vehicles.
Thanks.
I am interested in the forthcoming rz450e when will they start building it and where will they build it I have been a lexus owner for 10 years
Hello Mark,
Thanks for your comment.
Unfortunately, we do not have this information at the moment.
However, pricing will be available from August 2022.
You can pre-order here – https://www.lexus.co.uk/new-cars/rz/pre-order.
Thanks.
My wife and I ordered a Lexus ES300h in February 2022 from Lexus Guildford who have been most helpful and provided excellent service. We understand the car went into ‘build’ on or about 1st June 2022 with delivery August or September. We wondered where exactly our new car will be built – is it on one of the island plants of Japan or perhaps America. We are hoping it is built in Japan where all your Tukami masters are working. We have never bought a Japanese car before and are delighted to have chosen the lexus ES as our first car from the Toyota group having read so many excellent reports on your many models. This will be the first new car we have bought for 30 years and was planned as a birthday present for my wonderful wife who celebrates her birthday on 13th July when she will be 73 years young. Whilst we are looking forward to this new car, we fully understand the difficulties in producing and delivering cars post Covid so, we are not at all bothered that delivery will be much later than originally planned. One final request, we do hope that the car comes with a printed car instruction manual. Looking forward to your reply. Kind regards . . . Eamonn
Hello Eamonn,
Thank you for your order and kind words.
The ES is built in Kyushu, Japan.
Unfortunately, none of our new vehicles come with a printed owners manual.
These can be found online here – https://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/about-my-lexus/manuals.
Thanks.
Hi I orded a Lexus NX 350h awd in November 2021 not seen it yet ,informed sept 2023 not very good
Good afternoon David.
Thank you for choosing Lexus for your new car.
Unfortunately, we are experiencing longer than usual lead times at the moment. We are working to fulfil orders as quickly as possible and your local Lexus Centre will be able to provide updates as and when they become available.
Thank you.
I would like to buy a Lexus NX 350h Takumi. Can you tell be where this is made for U.K. market? What is the wait time?
Hello Tony,
Thanks for your comment.
Firstly, the NX is produced in Japan.
Secondly, the current estimated ETA for the NX Hybrid is around October 2023.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Why are there no side steps for all Lexus NX models? I noticed side steps were available for most models on configuration page, but this has been changed. Thanks.
Hello Tony, thanks for your question.
Our Product Team have advised that side steps should be available for the NX.
Thanks.