Video: The First Lexus ES 350 Built in the USA


Lexus USA has released a new video showing off the assembly of the first ES 350 at the new Georgetown Kentucky manufacturing plant:

Along with the video is a massive photo gallery of the ES in various stages of production:

A full press release is available, but this passage is too good to miss:

To prepare to build the Lexus sedan, team members underwent 1.5 million hours of training. This included trips to Japan for many to learn the art of Lexus craftsmanship. It also meant spending time behind the wheel of an ES, driving it on Kentucky roads, and dealership visits to gain an understanding of customer expectations and customer service.

Mike Bridge, a 13-year team member at the Kentucky plant and now assembly manager on the Lexus line, knew things were a little different from the get-go in regard to training. “One of the first things we did was purchase 22 brand-new ES 350s from a local dealer. We brought them in-house, and repeatedly tore them down into 2,000 pieces and built them back up. We learned every facet of this vehicle; how to put it together the right way.”

Lexus ES: Sixth GenerationManufacturingUSA
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    Lexus Cohen
  • October 19, 2015
If I had the money I would buy the first built car just for bragging rights.
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    Tragic Bronson
  • October 20, 2015
Did they put back together the 22 ES's that they bought? I'm sure they'd be great employee perks...

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