sleepybobcat

When is the next RX coming to the USA? Will it be
built in the new Toyota factory in Canada as Autoweek
and other media have reported? If so, what effect
will that have on the price, quality, reliability, resale, etc?

Harrier

Theoretically, the price should be cheaper since it's being built just north of the border. With NAFTA in place, the price of the RX should be made more competitive (i.e. cheaper) because of a reduced cost propping due to tariffs. However, I doubt that would be the case, knowing how Japanese auto manufacturers operate.

In a nut shell, the Japanese private sector is dominated by keiretsus, huge conglomerates or umbrella corporations that have a vertically linked chain of smaller firms and corporations operating under their auspices. Even though the cars will be produced in North America, about 90% of the parts will come from Japan, thus keeping costs high. There are several documented examples of this practice.

As for quality, I'm not sure what the Canadians are known for, other than good beef. With a new plant, usually comes increased efficiency, set off at first by a steep learning curve. In time, though, more and more RX's will be pumped out to fill the overwhelming demand.

I'm looking forward to the next-gen RX.