Which Lexus is built in Japan?
The LC luxury coupe and the LS flagship sedan are built in Japan.
Across its global operations, Lexus maintains production facilities in several regions, including North America, Europe, China, and Japan. While most models are assembled overseas to align with regional demand and supply chains, a small number of Lexus vehicles continue to be manufactured domestically in Japan. This article explains which models are produced in Japan and how that fits into Lexus’s broader manufacturing strategy as of the latest model years.
Japan-built Lexus models
Below are the Lexus models known to be assembled in Japan, along with the plants responsible for their production.
- Lexus LC — assembled at the Motomachi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
- Lexus LS — assembled at the Tahara Plant in Tahara, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
These two models have been the primary examples of Lexus vehicles produced domestically in Japan in recent years, while the rest of the lineup is predominantly manufactured at facilities outside Japan, depending on model and market.
Global production overview
Beyond Japan, Lexus’s production footprint spans multiple regions. In North America, a large portion of SUVs and several sedan lines are built in plants like Georgetown, Kentucky, and Cambridge, Ontario. In China, local joint ventures manufacture vehicles for the domestic market, and some models are produced in other Asian or European sites depending on demand and supply considerations.
Because production site allocations can shift with new generations and contract arrangements, it is advisable to verify the manufacturing origin for each specific model and trim level from official Lexus documentation or the vehicle’s VIN when precision is required.
Summary
In summary, the Lexus LC and the Lexus LS are the models most consistently built in Japan as of the latest information, reflecting a targeted approach to domestic craftsmanship for certain high-end models while the rest of the lineup is produced abroad to meet global demand.
Are all Lexus is models made in Japan?
Where Are Lexus Models Made? Lexus vehicles are produced primarily in Japan at manufacturing plants in the Chūbu and Kyūshū regions. The Lexus RX 330 was the first Lexus built outside of Japan in 2003, in Ontario, Canada.
Which Lexus models are made in the USA?
Lexus models made in the USA include the Lexus ES (Kentucky) and the Lexus TX (Indiana). These vehicles are assembled at different Toyota manufacturing plants within the United States.
- Lexus ES: Built in Georgetown, Kentucky, at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK).
- Lexus TX: Assembled in Princeton, Indiana, at a plant that also produces the Grand Highlander.
How to tell if a Lexus is built 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 not made in Japan?
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc. – Cambridge, Ontario, Canada —assembles the Lexus RX, as well as the Lexus RX Hybrid. Toyota Motor Kyushu – Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan — assembles the Lexus UX. Toyota Tahara Plant – Tahara, Japan — assembles the Lexus LS, IS, GX, LX, and RC.
