Dave Mac

I've started to see 2016 ES's pretty regularly now and have noticed two things - The ES300H's have Bridgestone tires and the ES350's have Michelins - actually Michelin Primacy's which I thought were discontinued. I know tires change throughout the year but found this selection interesting - last year I only seemed to see Michelins on ES300H's. The more significant finding though is that all of the cars I have seen to date have been made in Japan. I had heard earlier that only the ES300H's would be built in Japan and all ES350's would be U.S. made. I have to place my order pretty soon and I wonder if I can be assured of both Michelin tires and Japan production. Has anyone seen a U.S. built ES350?

Dave Mac

chrisexv6

In the other thread started by someone expecting their factory ordered '16 ES350 to arrive this weekend, they said theirs was built in Japan and someone chimed in mentioning that the startup of US built ES350's might not be until October or so.

As far as tires go, I have a feeling it will still be a crapshoot. Our '15 ES350 came with the 18" Bridgestones and I hated them....my dealer just happened to get a car in from the factory with the 18" Michelins and was nice enough to let me swap with them. They must have a contract with both manufacturers and just "throw on" whatever is in the bin at the time.

I dont think the Primacys are discoed....I think they went from different versions (MXV4 to MXM4)

Mike728

The KY factory's website still shows production beginning in the Fall. Order soon if you want a Japan built model. Or, just find one that's already been built.

lesz

I don't know what the future holds, but, for now, Michelin has discontinued the Primacy line of tires only for some tire sizes. They are continuing to make them in most sizes, and the Michelin web site still shows them as a current tire model. Also note that, while the Premiere series tires are touted by Michelin as retaining better stopping capability as the tires wear, the Primacy tires are rated better than the Premiere tires with regard to low rolling resistance, and they should allow for, at least, marginally better fuel economy. I notice, too, that all of the major tire retailers are still offering the Primacy line, and they are generally priced at about $10 per tire higher than the Premiere tires.

Maikerusan

One of the reasons I bought a 2015 was dealer had mentioned the 2016's would be built in KY.

Realize not everyone may feel the same way, but given the choice I prefer a Japanese made vehicle.

LexBob2

If I were buying an ES350, I'd prefer one that was built in Japan. For the future, a possibility for me, I'd wait a couple of model years to see how the reliability and fit and finish is from KY before buying.

airgas1998

all i know is the camry a few MY's back was less than impressive in fit/finish. maybe the current ones are built as good as the ES, but i'd bet not.

LexBob2

The ES350 will be built alongside the Avalon. That might be a better comparison.

chrisexv6

I never wandered the Toyota lot to see how the fit and finish on the current Avalons are.

We did test drive one though, didnt like it as much as the Lexus.

I know they already make the Avalon in KY but Im interested in seeing if the ES350 has a "ramp up" time before the quality is at the level of the already-produced-there Avalon.

Another interesting question is if the new suspension "tweaks" on the ES350 are a result of wanting to use the exact same production line/parts as the Avalon in KY, making the ride quality more Avalon-ish than Lexus-ish.

bc6152

Like every new factory I believe that there will be start-up issues to resolve. Not saying that they won't be resolved, but I wouldn't want to have one of the first off the line in Kentucky. I'm with you LexBob.

Maikerusan

Well the price will be the same whether made in Japan or Kentucky. Hard to argue against the fit, finish and work ethic of a Japanese Lexus factory.

JDR76

I think as long as Lexus/Toyota uses the same principles they use at the Ontario plant, they'll be fine. North American built RX350s are easily as good as those built in Japan.

http://www.jdpower.com/cars/articles...-study-results

Check this out for more info on the Ontario plant.

http://www.lexus-int.com/magazine/issue3/lab/

wowzer

Why not just ask lexis to have primacy on your car? Thats what i did...put it into your agreement.