Where Are Lexus Cars Imported From?

A whole fleet of models, including sedans, luxury coupes, and SUVs, are exported worldwide to Lexus buyers.

Whether you're simply interested in what the car manufacturer has to offer or you're curious about where your current Lexus comes from, hop into the passenger seat as we take an in-depth look into the Lexus brand.

In this blog post, we will check out the history of the luxury vehicle brand, where the cars are manufactured, as well as how they are shipped around the world.

Lexus: The Origin Story

Built on the solid foundation of the Toyota Motor Corporation brand, Lexus luxury vehicles have been around for over 30 years.

In 1989, the first Lexus models hit the world stage and the States. Starting with just the LS 400 and the ES 250, Lexus has since turned into one of the best-selling luxury import brands.

At the time of establishment, all Lexus cars were manufactured at the company's first site in Tahara, a city in Japan's Aichi prefecture. The vehicles were then primarily sold to a US target audience.

It wasn't until 2005 that Lexus returned home and started selling to Japanese buyers.

Today, there are three manufacturing sites in Japan alone and two more in North America. We'll look at these production plants in more detail further on.

The Lexus company is founded on the Japanese principles of omotenashi and takumi. The former is a commitment to providing an increased level of hospitality. While the latter is related to the word artisan. Through these guiding ideals and exceptional service campaigns focused on personalized service, the Japanese auto manufacturer has provided customer care that matches the meticulous detail that goes into every Lexus vehicle.

After all, they live up to their slogan: The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection.

Where are Lexus Vehicles Made?

Five manufacturing sites are churning out Lexus cars daily. Depending on the model that you choose, it will come from either the Japan-based plants or those found in the US.

Let's take a look at these different locations and what they have to offer.

Tahara

The picturesque coastal town found in the Aichi prefecture of Japan is home to the very first Lexus manufacturing site. Given its location, the plant has easy access to ports, making the export process simpler and more affordable.

Tahara was also the first plant to make the popular Lexus LS model and still does so today.

Other models include the NX and RC F, the latter being the flagship model of the Lexus brand.

Fukuoka, Kyushu

Founded in 1991, the Fukuoka plant is the workhorse of the Lexus family. The manufacturing site produces a higher volume of cars, as well as a wider variety of models.

This makes their contribution to the luxury export industry quite significant.

They owe their output to a streamlined synergy between three different factories, as well as the fact that all of their models are made on one production line inside the plant. While the plant does manufacture a range of Lexus vehicles, the most notable are the UX (both the battery electric vehicle and luxury hybrid), NX, ES, and RX.

Motomachi

Located in the same Aichi prefecture as the first Lexus manufacturing site, Motomachi oversees the production of the brand's luxury coupe (LC) models. This includes the LC and its convertible counterpart.

In terms of Japanese luxury vehicles, these models stand out in the crowd. The LCs combine style, sophistication, and performance in a sleek and effortless design.

Cambridge

The Canadian site, located in Ontario, was the first ever manufacturing plant established outside of Japan.

For a number of years, the plant primarily operated as Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. However, a critical turning point in the brand's global reach saw the first Lexus to be made abroad drive out of the plant in the early 2000s.

At the time, the vice president of manufacturing at Toyota, Robert Ruggieri, told Cambridge Today: "As a member of the audience that day in 2003, I can attest to the deep sense of pride that was in the air as we had put our heart and soul into the preparations for that moment." Today, the site manufactures the RX and NX models.

Georgetown

Based in Kentucky, USA, the fifth plant to be added to Lexus sites is one of the brand's largest and busiest.

They manufacture the ES range, which has become a popular model for luxury consumers worldwide, including Europe. Earlier this year, global sales for the ES exceeded the three-million mark, with Europe-based buyers snatching up more than 4,000 units. The luxury performance sedan was also one of the models that set Lexus on its path to success in the overseas market back in 1989.

Manufacturing plants and their models

Below is a table to serve as an easy reference guide detailing the different sites and what they produce.

How Are Lexus Cars Usually Imported?

Depending on the model that you've selected, your Lexus luxury vehicle could come from one of three different countries.

Modes of transport include ocean freight and air freight, which require multiple steps to complete the shipping process successfully. One of these factors is acquiring the correct documentation needed for a successful exotic car import.

When importing a Lexus, it's essential to take note of the requirements so there is no delay in getting your luxury vehicle to your doorstep.

For example, if the vehicle is being imported to the UK, you would need a certificate of compliance to make sure it meets the standards of the European Union. If a vehicle is imported from Canada to the US, the car needs to meet the US safety, bumper, and emission standards.

Owing to the varied standards and regulations that you need to meet, it's advisable to seek the expert services of a vehicle shipping company. It's even better when that company has experience importing and exporting exotic vehicles.

Wrapping Up

As one of America's best-selling luxury car brands, Lexus is leading the charge in the luxury vehicle industry. And as we've seen above, this is not only the case for luxury consumers in the States.

All over the world, people want to join team Lexus with a model of their own.

To import your Lexus to the United States, whether from Japan or Canada, it's time to enlist the help of a trusted shipping company so that your luxury vehicle meets regulations and arrives at its destination in the best possible condition.

Contact A1 Auto Transport today for a free quote on moving your Lexus.