As Lexus Shifts Production To North America, Will The Quality Remain The Same?

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to expand production of the Lexus RX in Canada with a $100 million investment at its plant in Cambridge, Ontario.

The expansion will boost annual Lexus capacity at the factory by 30,000 vehicles to 104,000 units, the automaker said in a statement today. About 400 new jobs will be added at the operation. The expanded production -- which will include 15,000 RX450h electric hybrid vehicles -- is expected to begin in early 2014, Toyota said.

"This is a big and ambitious project with new technology, exacting standards and tight timelines," Brian Krinock, president of Toyota's Canada manufacturing unit, said in the statement.

Lexus - 7/24/2012 2:28:07 PM

+3 Boost

I think it's a good thing Toyota is moving production of their premium Lexus brand to be manufacture in the U.S. because it help create more jobs but I think their quality is going to suffer.

I don't think the workers in America today has that quality that this Great Country was once built upon. They have that entitlement mentality if you know what I mean. Do enough just to get by etc....!

ThierryHenry14 - 7/24/2012 3:14:28 PM

+1 Boost

Well, I'm certainly sad you feel that way about American manufacturing, but then it means that Lexus should not suffer any quality issues when all is set and done, considering they will be building it in Canada, not the US.

enthusiastx11 - 7/25/2012 9:39:34 AM

-4 Boost

the camry has been made in the US for many years now. long before toyota's quality problems began.

furthermore, toyota's quality was less a cultural issue and more of a quality of management issue. in recent years, toyota has damaged its reputation by putting market share ahead of quality. and plenty of problem cars came out of japan.

cdoke - 7/24/2012 2:38:27 PM

+1 Boost

Probably not, simply because their quality is the result of little more than removing variation through process (six-sigma anyone?). Should they follow through with the same processes they have been using, there shouldn't really be a difference as the result of location.

cdoke - 7/24/2012 2:39:29 PM

+1 Boost

Correction given the question: that should say "Probably" and not "Probably not"

enthusiastx11 - 7/25/2012 9:40:46 AM

-3 Boost

exactly. and much of inspired by the great american management guru...peter drucker.

cdoke - 7/25/2012 11:57:14 AM

0 Boost

Why in the world are people de-boosting you? There is nothing in your statement that is incorrect.

enthusiastx11 - 7/25/2012 8:33:25 PM

-2 Boost

lol. they don't even know who peter drucker is...

enthusiastx11 - 7/25/2012 9:41:28 AM

-3 Boost

please. nice racism.

lexworld - 7/24/2012 4:51:28 PM

-1 Boost

...no way Lexus can keep that level of quality up bringing their products to be manufactured in the US. Oh well, all good things must come to an end. Still wana see Toyota return to it's sports car heritage....that u can be sure of. In a way, it should bring out that wild side again.

ThierryHenry14 - 7/25/2012 10:30:11 AM

+1 Boost

If you actually read, they are not bringing it to the US... North America does not mean US...

Designer1 - 7/24/2012 5:05:29 PM

-2 Boost

Quality will definitely degrade, just like Toyota's quality has. Plus, many RX's are build in Canada and they too have bad reliability and quality.

Thegeek - 7/24/2012 9:46:07 PM

0 Boost

Designer1, Toyota quality is rivaled by NO ONE. Even though it may not be what it once was, it is still the BEST. You are living in a fantasy world if you believe any other vehicles are higher quality.

Car4Life - 7/24/2012 5:33:42 PM

-4 Boost

Over Lexus...Audi has taken your place in the U.S. while Benz sits pretty in the top spot.

Thegeek - 7/24/2012 9:56:25 PM

+4 Boost

Car4Life, you are so full of sh*t. Do you honestly believe that Benz sits pretty in the top spot of quality? Have you checked resale values? Have you seen how quickly Benz vehicles values drop like a ton of bricks? Perhaps more so than Government Motors, Ford or Chrysler vehicles. You have got to be kidding. Give me a break. You also believe that Audi has taken Lexus' place? With what, their LED headlights? Those LEDs are pretty, aren't they? Is that their main selling point? Apparently it is. You too are living in a fantasy world. Give me a break!!!

ThierryHenry14 - 7/25/2012 10:32:13 AM

-3 Boost

@Thegeek...

About the Audi LED... they are pretty, thats why Lexus put them on too... Its called follow the leader...

klipprand - 7/25/2012 9:19:32 AM

+1 Boost

Based on years of owning Honda's; the Japanese built ones gave us no issues. The American built ones however, while still very good, were not excellent. After working many times in Japan, I understand why. Their work ethic is just insane. In my mind the same will happen to Lexus.

enthusiastx11 - 7/25/2012 9:42:29 AM

-4 Boost

almost all the RX models have been made in north american for many years now. get a clue.

enthusiastx11 - 7/25/2012 9:44:50 AM

-4 Boost

they already build lexus in north america you racist nutjobs.

thy are INCREASING capacity in north america from the CURRENT 74,000 (more than 1/3 of lexus US sales) to 104,000. the RX has been produced here for years and years.

enthusiastx11 - 7/25/2012 8:35:02 PM

-2 Boost

deboost all ya like children. the lexus RX has been made in north america since 2004...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Motor_Manufacturing_Canada

lexworld - 7/25/2012 10:06:31 AM

+2 Boost

...Although I do feel Toyota may suffer some quality issues ThierryHenry14, dont u think for one minute they wont bounce back as they have many times in the past. Hummh you kinda remind us of Agent009 a few years ago.

ThierryHenry14 - 7/25/2012 10:34:49 AM

-1 Boost

I'm not saying they won't have quality issues, and I'm not saying they will not bounce back. I'm just saying that its built in Canada, not the US... I mentioned nothing about quality issues...

LexSucks - 7/25/2012 10:58:37 AM

-5 Boost

What Quality?

LexSucks - 7/25/2012 2:56:13 PM

-3 Boost

No. I'm reffering to the Lexus has better quality myth.

LexSucks - 7/26/2012 12:02:47 PM

-3 Boost

Lexus is so much better. I mean they require like .3% less trips to the dealer over a five year period. WOW!!!!!!

No current new cars are unreliable. Brand new cars on flat-beds are a rare scene. It’s a myth.

Reliability? All new cars are reliable, so it’s gonna take more than that lame tag line “They’re reliable” to get me to pick a Lexus. Nice try.

skytop - 7/26/2012 4:28:59 PM

+1 Boost

My Mercedes was built in Alabama. The quality was definitely NOT up to MB standards.
It is the LAST Mercedes I purchase that is built in obama land.