Does anyone know if only the Canada plant is making the 2016 RX or can you get one built in Japan. Just curious.

 

I am assuming that it will be the same as the 3RX, where all hybrids come from Japan and basically all 350s come from Canada. My '13 RX350 is Japanese built, but in the last year or so the production numbers seem to indicate that they've shifted 350 production out of Japan.

FWIW, I would not hesitate to buy a Canadian built RX.

 

as a note, the RX is the only Lexus model assembled outside of Japan and has 60% US/CA content. There were some 450h's assembled in Canada but only 30% US/CA content. (according to NHTSA)

 

If production hasn't already begun, the ES will bebuilt in the US (Kentucky).

 

has there been any quality impact with the non-Japan produced cars?

 

Can of worms... It's been discussed [argued] to death since the inception of this forum.

Some have tried to empirically prove [particularly on the 3RX boards, since IIRC that's when it went Canadian] the "flaws" in Canadian built vehicles.

Won't bother searching for it, as it was minute details that could've been caused by faulty parts/driver habits.

Issues will occur with CARS - regardless where they're built.

I wouldn't hesistate, hell, I wouldn't even care or notice until I start digging into my car's info!

A family friend delivers parts, he says their Lexus plant is amazing. He didn't see a single white person in upper management on the floor/around. It was all Japanese people carrying their "kaizen" method over here as well... It's just that the vehicles don't have to be shipped overseas from JP.

 

I also agree that I would not even hesitate buying a car from Lexus that was built in Canada. Lexus has a reputation of reliability that took them many years to achieve that status. They are not going to let that status fade anytime soon. I think its great that Lexus built a plant in Canada because it creates jobs for canadians. I wish they built a plant in America too to help create jobs for us Americans too.

My parents will probably argue with me about this because they have this mindset that Japanese built cars are built better. The reason being, they have bought American built cars from Chevy, Ford, and Dodge and was burned everytime with quality and reliability problems. They swear they will only buy Japanese.

My Grand parents on the other hand refuses to buy Japans because when they were in their prime, Japanese made items were considered trash and because World war 2 left them biased. Its funny how different generations feel differently about the same things.

 

MEP, probably both Japan and Canada like it is now. The 330 started production in Canada back in September 2003. And then the 450h began rolling off the lines last year alongside the 350. It's great they have the capability closer to home, especially since it means one less month spent in transport.

 

I think you'd have to worry more about the overall brand than worry about where it is built. If you have ever dealt with toyota and their sourcing of parts you would have no problems about where the country of origin is. From what I've heard through friends and relatives is that toyota is the most strict when sourcing parts in terms of material and tolerance levels. With respect to pricing they've also said toyota wants a set price through the life of a vehicle and does not want to entertain ways to make the part cheaper or change materials. Contrast that to GM and ford where they expect a 3 percent discount every year the part is made (with inflation that's more like 5%) and will entertain ways to lower the cost of a part (Change of material, design etc)

 

Thank god Australian RXs are all made in Japan .....

 

I work at a dealership.

seems like the first early batch of the 16 RX was Japanese. then the Canadian ones came in. the hybrids are mostly still made in japan.

one way you can always tell where yours was made is by looking at the vin. if it starts with JT its from japan. Japan Tahara. the ones made in North America start with 2T2.

 

For what it's worth, ES 350 production has begun in Kentucky now. My recollection is that the ES is being built at the plant where they build Toyota Avalons. The hybrid (ES 300h) is still built in Japan. They made a big splash when the first one rolled off the assembly line a couple of months ago.

 

That is true. I live 15 miles south of the plant. And as I stated in another thread, they're having quality control issues with the ES. The QC is MUCH higher on Lexus than Toyota, so they're having to train all of the workers to be aware of that.

I would be cautious of buying a new ES until later in the year, or unless its VIN starts with J.

 

Canada Sure makes for quicker delivery. I got a print out for delivery time for my 450h (vin# beginning with 2T). I ordered off the dealers incoming allotment sheets. We are in the process of moving to Oro Valley, AZ., so dealer is in Tucson. Here are dates from the print out:

12/15/15= Production date.
12/15/15= Port processing.
12/18/15= Rail departure.
12/29/15=Rail arrival Phoenix (This is the distribution place for all the dealers in this area).
Dealer said my 450h will be here in Tucson within the next couple days. Can't wait! No concerns at all about this being my first 450h not built in Japan.

 

Only about 2 1/2 weeks from production to dealer arrival?