is the 450h built in Japan?

thanks!

 

it is my understanding that all lexus hybrids are built in japan

 

Be sure to look at the VIN (vehicle identification number). If it starts with a J then it was manufactured in Japan.

Some RX's are manufactured in Canada and most of the RX's are manufactured in Japan.

 

I am pretty sure most of the new rx's are made in Japan, and all hybrids are

 

All Hybrids are built in Japan. Initial 2010 RX (Non Hybrids) will be built in Japan, then gradualy shift the production to newly built Canadian Assembling Facility.

Do keep in mind, since the car is still a technically "Japanese Imported" car, and only "assembled" in Canada, it will still carry the "Jxxxxxxxxxxxx" VIN tag. The only place that you can find the final assembling location is the plate on Driver side door frame.

 

when i got my GS last october, my saleman told me that only the base RX (at that time) was made in japan. all other RX made in canada (except for hybrid - as mentioned by others above). and he did mention that there is a quality difference between made in japan, and made in canada. made in canada is still built well, but not quite the same "feel" as the made in japan ones. interpret this any way you want, but if i were to buy an RX, the final assembly would have to be "japan".

 

^^ while i also like my cars built in japan, i really cant say that there is a difference. the plant is met with the same expectations, only in a different location.

 

There shouldn't be. They use the same machines to manufacture individual parts. So it wouldn't "feel different" at all. The only difference would be how well the workers assemble it. I heard the Japanese Lexus workers do some crazy training before even being allowed to screw in bolts.

 

that could very well be true. which would explain why a car built in japan has a better "feel" to it than the ones made in canada.

 

If assembled in Canada of Japanese components, it will NOT carry the "Jxxxxxx" VIN tag. I'm 100% sure of that. The J- for Japan- represents where it rolled off from brand new.

 

I don't want to say which plant can build better cars. As you said, the training are really thorough and detailed. And, I believe Canada's workers should recieve the same level of training. However, JDM usually will add more flavors into their local training due to the essence of their culture, and this usually makes their workers more focus on daily works. IMO.

 

They are now building the 450h in Canada. Those of you who commented that a better car is made in Japan, clearly have not toured the plant in Canada. All the main body work is done by very exciting robots working at incredible speeds. You could eat off the floor - a plant tour is definitely work the ride to Cambridge!

 

We just ordered a 2015 and the dealer said it will be coming from Japan.

 

Our 2010 was built in Japan. Our 2015 was built in Ontario, Canada. I was surprised as well.
There appears to be no difference in quality between the two, however, so I suppose that's a good thing.

 

If VIN begins with JT, it's Japan, if 2T, it's Canada. It would be interesting to see if there is any statistically significant difference in issues/warranty repairs for Canada vs. Japan models. Anecdotally, I can say that my Canada-built RX loaner have always felt more "loose" than the Japan ones, with rattles and what not, but to be fair, most of my "data" dates back to the 2004-2009 generation.

Then again, the 3rd generation GS, which was notorious for rattles, was built at Lexus' award-winning Tahara plant in Japan, so we certainly can't generalize.