Is the Lexus GX made in Japan?
Yes. The current Lexus GX is assembled in Japan for global markets, including the United States, rather than being produced in the United States.
The question touches on where Lexus chooses to build its mid-size luxury SUV. The GX is part of Lexus's SUV lineup and shares its engineering with Toyota's Land Cruiser Prado. In the latest generation, production is centered in Japanese facilities, with GX units shipped to customers worldwide from Japan. While components are sourced globally and regional variants exist, Japan remains the production hub for the GX in the current model year.
Where the GX is built
Below is a snapshot of the GX production footprint and how it is distributed to markets around the world.
- Manufactured in Japan at Toyota/Lexus plants that produce SUVs for global markets.
- North American models are imported from Japan rather than built in U.S. factories for the GX in the current generation.
- The GX shares its underpinnings with the Land Cruiser Prado, a model produced in Japan, which reinforces a Japanese-centric production network.
- Component sourcing is global, with inputs from multiple regions as is common with modern Toyota/Lexus vehicles.
In short, the Lexus GX is produced in Japan for global distribution, with no U.S.-based assembly line for this model in the current generation.
Prado relation and platform sharing
The GX's development aligns with Toyota's Prado lineage, which reinforces a Japanese production strategy for this model and explains why Japan remains the primary assembly hub for GX units sold domestically and abroad.
Historical context
The Lexus GX has historically been produced in Japan for most of its generations, with early versions dating back to the GX 470 family in the 2000s. Over time, the GX lineup has maintained a production footprint rooted in Japan, even as Lexus expanded its global sales footprint. The current generation continues this trend, aligning with Toyota's global manufacturing framework that keeps the GX tied to Japanese production facilities.
Summary
In summary, the Lexus GX is manufactured in Japan for the current generation and exported to multiple regions, including the United States. While the supply chain relies on a global mix of suppliers, there is no established U.S.-based assembly line for the GX as of the latest model year, and buyers should expect Japan-sourced units for most markets.
Where is the Lexus GX manufactured?
The Lexus GX is made at the Toyota Tahara Plant in Tahara, Japan. This plant is one of several facilities where Lexus vehicles are manufactured, with other plants located in Japan, Canada, and the United States.
This video shows a quality audit of the 2024 Lexus GX 550, which was built in Japan: 52sAutomotivePressYouTube · Dec 14, 2023
- Main production location: Toyota Tahara Plant in Tahara, Japan.
- Other models built there: The Tahara plant also produces other Lexus models like the LS, IS, LX, and RC.
- Manufacturing base: Lexus, though a luxury brand, is owned by the Toyota Motor Corporation, and many Lexus plants are named after their parent company.
How can I tell if my Lexus was made in Japan?
You can tell if a Lexus was built in Japan by checking the first character of the VIN. A "J" at the beginning of the VIN indicates the vehicle was manufactured in Japan. Alternatively, you can look at the sticker in the driver's side door jamb, which may explicitly state the manufacturing location.
Using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Find the VIN: The VIN is a 17-character serial number found on the dashboard (visible through the windshield) or on the driver's side door jamb.
- Check the first character: The first character of the VIN indicates the country of origin.
- Look for "J": If the VIN starts with the letter "J," the vehicle was assembled in Japan.
- Other letters: Other letters or numbers at the start of the VIN indicate manufacturing in other countries. For example, a "2" or "5" can mean the vehicle was assembled in North America (Canada or the U.S.).
Using the door jamb sticker
- Locate the sticker: Open the driver's side door and look for a sticker on the door jamb.
- Read the label: This sticker often contains a phrase like "Manufactured by Honda in Japan" or "Built in Japan by Honda," leaving no doubt about its assembly point.
Which Lexus is built in Japan?
Many Lexus models are built in Japan, including the LS, IS, GX, and LC, though the specific manufacturing plant varies by model. The Tahara plant is a primary Lexus factory, and other models like the ES, UX, and NX are also produced in Japan at facilities like the Miyata and Kyushu plants.
Lexus models built in Japan by plant
- Tahara Plant (Tahara, Aichi): LS, IS, GX, LX, and RC
- Motomachi Plant (Toyota City, Aichi): LC
- Yoshiwara Plant (Toyota City, Aichi): LX
- Miyata Plant (Miyawaka, Fukuoka): IS and ES
- Kyushu Plant (Miyawaka, Fukuoka): UX, NX, ES, and RX
Are all Lexus GX built in Japan?
Though it is thought the GX has always been larger than the RX, from 2015 to 2022, the RX is slightly longer and slightly wider than the GX and therefore the GX was considered smaller. All GX production has occurred at the Tahara plant in Japan, alongside the Land Cruiser Prado and the export-minded Toyota 4Runner.
