Where is the Lexus IS500 made?
The Lexus IS 500 is manufactured in Japan, at the Tahara facility in Aichi Prefecture.
The IS 500 is a North America–specific, V8-powered variant of the IS lineup. This article provides a concise look at where the model is built, how its production fits into Lexus’ global manufacturing strategy, and what that means for buyers in different markets.
Production location and market context
Below are the key facts about where the IS 500 is assembled and how that aligns with regional markets.
- The primary production location for the Lexus IS 500 destined for North American markets is the Tahara Plant in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
- North American–spec IS 500 models are built in Japan rather than in a U.S. or Canadian assembly plant, reflecting Lexus’ model-specific manufacturing strategy for this high-performance variant.
- The IS 500 shares its underlying IS architecture with other variants, while employing a unique 5.0-liter V8 powertrain sourced from Lexus’ performance lineup; its assembly location is tied to the NA-market rollout.
In short, the IS 500’s manufacturing site is in Japan, and this location underpins its availability for North American buyers.
Global manufacturing context
Lexus and its parent company Toyota operate a distributed network of assembly plants worldwide. While many Lexus models are produced in Japan for global distribution, others are assembled in North American facilities to meet regional demand. The IS 500’s Japan-based production underscores its status as a dedicated high-performance variant within the IS family for North America.
Variant notes
The IS 500 complements the IS lineup with a 5.0-liter V8 and performance-tuned dynamics, differentiating it from the IS 300 and IS 350 variants. Its production location reflects strategic decisions about market-specific variants and supply chains rather than a universal, global assembly site.
Summary
Bottom line: The Lexus IS 500 is manufactured in Japan, at the Tahara facility in Aichi Prefecture, primarily for the North American market. This aligns the model with Lexus’ approach of region-specific variants and specialized powertrains within the IS family.
