lesz

I know that Lexus had announced, some time ago, that the ES was going to be built in a US factory starting in 2015. I'm assuming that production of the ES in the US has not started yet. Would that be correct? If the 2015 ES vehicles sold so far have still been built in Japan, does anyone know when the US plant is scheduled to be open and when production of the ES in the US will start?

If nothing else, I would hope that someone with a 2015 ES could check the VIN to confirm that it was still built in Japan.

LexBob2

As I understand it, the ES will be built in the Georgetown, Ky. plant alongside the Avalon. Production there hasn't begun yet. Possibly in 2016 or 2017?

lesz

Does that mean that there has been a delay? All of the press releases/announcements that I have seen from Toyota and Lexus have said that production of the ES in the Kentucky would begin in 2015.

bc6152

There is additional information available at this link:

http://www.kentucky.com/2014/09/14/3...ant-gears.html

According to the state of Kentucky, the plant structure is finished and production should start in late 2015.

Arty101

Bob- looks like they'll be building 2016 MY in late 2015.

gemigniani

The latest ES's arriving on dealers lots with 12/14 build dates still say "made in Japan" and they are still arriving via ship at ports like Long Beach, California. And the ES's car part's sticker still says "Japan 95%")

bc6152

You're probably right Art. They're not being specific saying "late 2015".

xclream

Per my understanding. Only the ES350 will be partially produced in the US. ES300h will still 100% come from Japan.

Arty101

That is my understanding too.

offroad200

It's simple. If the VIN starts with a J, it was built in Japan. US starts with 1, 4 or 5.