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Why Is Lexus Version Of Prius Going To Be Built In Japan Rather Than Stateside?

Agent009 submitted on 8/20/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 3:46:00 PM

57 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.motortrend.com

With parent company Toyota scrambling to get its third-generation Prius ready by next year and racing against General Motors and its Volt project to be the first to market with a plug-in hybrid, its Lexus luxury arm also is reportedly hard at work on its own variant of the new Prius, which it will most likely unveil in a concept form similar to the illustration pictured here at the 2009 Detroit auto show.

Although Lexus has yet to have a dedicated hybrid in its lineup (it has hybrid versions of its RX 'ute and GS and LS sedans), the next-generation Prius, which is expected to be bigger and packed with more power, should be far more suitable for an upmarket offering.

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Why Is Lexus Version Of Prius Going To Be Built In Japan Rather Than Stateside?

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"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
— Agent009 (View Profile)

User Comments

Better quality control for starters....
— AMiodynski (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 4:15:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11

QC can be done in North America with the proper guys doing the controlling on stateside. As well proper training is required. It doesn't matter about their ethnicity, it's how well you train them.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 8:48:23 PM | | Votes: -5

^It's not necessarily "ethinicity" its the culture of the country.
— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 8:54:39 AM | | Votes: 3

you're right. the japanese race must be superior. only they can do things right. after all, they believe themselves to be divine.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2008 1:55:02 PM | | Votes: 0

Quality Control.

One of the reasons to actually buy a Japanese car is that it's made in Japan. Whether your a fan of their engineering or not, once they get the blueprints they're the best at execution.
— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 4:17:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

So basically you say they feel they have a process that only works in Japan? Almost EVERY manufacturer builds outside the US and they typically maintain the same quality level. Look at BMW and Toyota they export from the US.

It seems Lexus should be able to do the same.
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 4:20:39 PM | | Votes: -1

Tell that story to Mitsubishi owners in Japan. There was a government mandated recall that Mitsubishi of Japan needed to fix numerous problems.
— Dr550 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 12:28:21 AM | | Votes: 1

009, it has to do more with their culture, and the pride of the individual. The Japanese are perfectionists, even if you think their cars are merely perfect "appliances" - they still do what they should - function correctly.
— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 8:53:55 AM | | Votes: 3

less to do with pride and more to do with a workaholic, intolerant culture that will sacrifice the individual for the good of the group.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2008 1:56:17 PM | | Votes: 0

because in America Toyota can't hire illegal immigrants to work for them.
— pchera01 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 4:35:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

...and in American Toyota can't work their employees to death.
— notafanboy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 5:41:21 PM | | Votes: -3

@notafanboy ?

the company didn't order the employees to work to death. It's a cultural thing and was the choice they made.
— eric113 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 2:06:15 AM | | Votes: 1

So based on your statement, we can assume that the toyotas built here are s**tboxes? I highly doubt that is the reason.
— johnnyb (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 7:23:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

@ the troll formerly known as MT,

Yesterday, you insult the Chinese and AutoSpies'
Chinese members.
Today, you insult the American factory worker, all of them with a higher IQ than you. Bush and Cheney would call you "Un-American" or "Un-Patriotic".

For your sake, let's hope Lexus doesn't churn out another over-priced and fully loaded Toyota Camry and call it an ES350 with this proposed Lexus "Prius".

Geez, kid. You're acting like such a moron these days, I'm going to start calling you "JoshLexus4Ever" again!

WTF is wrong with you, Josh?
Did your GF dump you?
Sorry to hear that...not.

Well, I hear that HondaJapan's a** is available, which is convenient since his sh*t spews from his mouth.

(And if I have to explain that last double entendre to you, then you truly are stupid.)
— Bored (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 8:47:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Hey MichaelTaylor, where was your Toyota Camry built?

Most likely here in the U.S. in Georgetown, KY.
— Maverick2020 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 9:37:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

after reading many miketaylor's comments,

i begin to suspect if he's a Lexus(toyo) hater trying to make them look bad.
or he may just be an fanboy idiot.
just saying.
— eric113 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 2:04:34 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

let's just hope the upcoming 2010 All new 7-series-mini-cooper is not another over grown mini-cooper
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 2:56:01 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

Why is that people make such a big deal about where a car is made? The same people have no problems buying HDTV's, computers, and even there food from foreign countries.
— CRS2112 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 4:46:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

because the plant in japan has won numerous awards. a lexus just isnt a lexus if its built in the US. the Canadian RX is on the brink of acceptable
— LexusKindaGuy12 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 4:53:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

"In 2005 Lexus was organizational separated from the Toyota Division within Toyota Motor Corporation such that it has its own design, engineering and manufacturing centers."

Point of the matter, after 2005 every new Lexus car design is in no fashion the same as Toyota, different parts, different designs, different engineering, different people, Different Co-Efficent, Different Engines, Different tires, different motors, Difffereent headlights, etc.....

Not any Lexus is built here in the United States. The Lexus version Prius will be a Lexus therefore will not be built here in the states. It still will be a Lexus and not a Toyota. Different parts, different designs, different engineering, different people, different Co-Efficent, Different engines, Different Motors, Different headlights, etc.....

So no matter how many of you stress that Camry is just a Lexus Blah Blah Blah, it's not, it use to be but after 2005 Lexus seperated itself from Toyota so the platform is totally different. Even when it use to be Toyota is just as good as any non-luxury car per JD Power and Consumer reports.
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 5:04:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

silver1 aka staar aka prancinghorse aka teknik:

Please get a life and only contribute meaningful, truthful comments.

You know damn well that Toyota is not seperated from Lexus or they would report their financial reports seperate to the public. Which they never do because Lexus is bleeding toyota to the point it needs a blood transfusion in this economy.

— bmwman1963 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 9:05:06 AM | | Votes: 0

http://www.autofieldguide.com/articles/090601.html"

here is the atricle, since you stated it's not true
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 11:46:43 AM | | Votes: 1

you can tell me all day that they are different cars but sit in one for Christ's sake!!

They are the same thing.
— dwatson (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 2:06:55 PM | | Votes: 0

@silver1

I'm a big lexus fan, but what you said isn't true. Most of the lexus models still share a lot of parts with toyota's. Not corolla's or something but Crown's and the Mark X.

thats nothing to be ashamed of, those are all realy good cars. And after 2005 only one thing changed, that is that they are sold as lexus in Japan.

But like before the GS is still based on the Crown athlete and the Majesta has conections to the LS.
— STJ88 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 5:32:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

"http://www.autofieldguide.com/articles/090601.html"

here is the atricle, since you stated it's not true.....

Could you name me 1 design or 1 part that Lexus and Toyota are identical?

Even the frekin wiper blades are different.....
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 5:40:19 PM | | Votes: -4

And it has to be a redesign Lexus that was redesign after 2005.....
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 5:42:03 PM | | Votes: -2

I can't go the Toyota dealership asking for a Lexus part or vise versa....

But I sure can go the Mercedes dealership asking for a Smart For2 part or go to the BMW dealership asking for a --series-Mini-Cooper-part, since they are built by and service by the same people, as when Lexus and Toyota are not.....
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 5:45:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

You are such a freak silver1...

I read the article from the website you posted.. The design team seperated itself from Toyota, BUT:

An ES350 is still a Camry... They share almost all of the same parts.. It may have a different design theme, but most of the parts are just the same as a Camry..

I know people that live a long way from a Lexus dealership and the Lexuse dealer told them that they could take their ES350 to a Toyota dealership for service and most engine, etc. problem.

Now does that seem like they are totally seperate form Lexus.. I think not..

Get a real life dude and quit living in fairytale land.
— bmwman1963 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 9:15:45 AM | | Votes: -1

Whoever told you that is dumb as hell and they are lying and nothing about cars...

Name just 1 thing that the ES350 and the Camry share parts with each other?
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 11:45:56 AM | | Votes: 2

Silver1= case in point. is for look at the basic specs of both car you see the wheelbase, and track for front and rear are indentical to the 100th of an inch.

The drive train is exactly the same as well.

So now just what are the odds of two cars that are so different as you stating having the EXACT same dimensions..

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 2:29:24 PM | | Votes: -1

@silver1

Name one thing?

How about the 2GR-FSE, the engine is used in the Crown athlete, lexus GS and IS. And the GS sits on the platform of the Crown GRS180 (the crown was 1 years before the 3e gen GS out)

The 4GR-FSE in the IS250 is also used in the mark X 250G and crown. The 3UZ-FSE from the SC is also used in the Majesta.

— STJ88 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 5:50:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

The Toyota Crown Majesta did use the same engine as the GS, but not anymore that was many years ago.......

once again.....Please name a 2006 Lexus IS, 2006 Lexus GS, 2007 Lexus ES, or a 2007 Lexus LS, that share the same identical parts and design as a Toyota?

I really want a honest answer....
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 5:58:02 PM | | Votes: -1

And the Lexus IS and the Toyota Mark does share the same engine, but does that make it Lexus an over grown Camry? NO. And besides your talking about Japan cars, their car classes are totally different then what our terminolgy is here....So lets stay on U.S. Cars only please.... Or otherwise I can talk about other non-luxury cars in Europe that uses BMW & Mercedes engines, and etc.....

And the Lexus SC has not been redesigned after 2005...So it doesn't count......

Tell me which U.S. Toyota share the same parts as a U.S. Lexus???
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 6:08:53 PM | | Votes: 0

@silver1

Can't you read New GS350 same engine as New crown athlete. IS250 same engine as markX 250G.

If there was no toyota crown the GS would be floating on air because it wouldn't have a platform to sit on!!!!
— STJ88 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 6:05:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I'm going to take Michael Taylor's advise and not argue. Lets call it a TRUCE even though I actually won.....
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 6:10:50 PM | | Votes: -5

LX570 / Land Cruiser.
— Alec (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 6:20:30 PM | | Votes: 2

Correct. The Toyota Land Cruiser and the Lexus LX are the only vehicles in the Lexus Toyota line-up that share the parts and same platform as well as design...

The rest of the Lexus vehicles has nothing in common with other Toyota's here in the U.S.
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 11:54:53 AM | | Votes: 0

@silver1

I never said that they had anything to do with a camry. They don't share stuff with US or EU toyota's, only JDM RWD models.
— STJ88 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 6:22:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

GREAT....NOW TRY TELLING THAT TOO THE BMW FREAKS, CAUSE THEY HAVE A 1 IQ MIND WHICH IS SLIM TO NONE....

Screen name "Alec" for example...
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 6:56:19 PM | | Votes: 0

I see i pushed the flame on button for you silver1, but is my post not an answer to your question?

"Tell me which U.S. Toyota share the same parts as a U.S. Lexus???"
— Alec (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 7:06:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Ignore Silver1.
He's too blind to see that an ES is a Camry.
That an LX is a LandCruiser.
— audirevolution (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 9:40:25 PM | | Votes: 0

just like your too blnd to see your Passag is an overgrown A6, 7-series is an overgrown mini cooper, S-class is an overgrown smart for2
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 3:00:00 AM | | Votes: -2

*Passat
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 3:01:20 AM | | Votes: -3

Poor little silver1 is showing his true colors..

Toyota=Lexus and he knows it.

Love to see him cry like a baby.. Pricless...
— bmwman1963 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 9:19:50 AM | | Votes: -3

Mini-Cooper=BMW-7-Series
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 11:47:35 AM | | Votes: 0

Hey, Japan has to build some of their cars in Japan, but we already know many parts of their cars are made in China.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/20/2008 10:19:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

They want to keep it close to corporate HQ.
Lexus does make autos in NA, so don't slam our American workers, they are as good or better than anyone else in Asia.
— g2ok (View Profile)

Posted on 8/21/2008 9:17:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Does anyone actually stop and think about these things before going into anti-country mode?

Do you think there are no Japanese people in America that maybe...just maybe...still hold the culture and heritage of Japan dear? Do you really think there aren't perfectionists in the US that aren't Japanese?

Geez, not everyone in any given country is the same or fits a stereotype. Get a clue, people!
— 09CTSVforMe (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2008 12:16:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

ultimately, who care where it's made. it's not a car for enthusiasts. it's just a people mover.
— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/22/2008 1:57:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

One word, 'LEXIFICATION'.

My friend at Sanyo Machineworks said that when they brought the RX over here, the factory they retooled was completely redone and the tolerances in production/process are much more stringent. It's also one of the cleanest assembly lines he's ever seen. A Toyota line is a mess compared to a Lexus one.

The Lexus Prius most likely won't sell in enough volume to justify retooling an entire N.A. plant and they don't want to take away Prius capacity, so they'll probably just use the excess capacity at the Japan RX plant (or retool part of the Prius plant).

enthusisiast,
Sort of like the enemic 323i, cramped 128i or the cheap B-class, except Lexus' version will cost more than those 3.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/23/2008 4:13:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Why Is Lexus Version Of Prius Going To Be Built In Japan Rather Than Stateside?

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