2010 Lexus HS 250h Recalled
Lexus has announced a voluntary safety recall on the 2010 Lexus HS 250h.
Kevin · August 1st, 2012
Latest News
Lexus Boosts RX Manufacturing in Canada
Lexus will invest more than $100 million and hire approximately 400 employees to increase Lexus RX production at its Cambridge, Ontario facility.
Kevin · July 24th, 2012
Production Lexus LF-LC Planned?
Automotive News is reporting that a production model based on the Lexus LF-LC concept is currently on track for development.
Kevin · July 16th, 2012
Interview with Two Lexus ES Designers
The Lexus Global website has an in-depth interview with Yasuo Kajino & Shinno Kato, two of the people responsible for the design of the 2013 ES.
Kevin · July 11th, 2012
Endless Motion: A Profile of Lexus Meister Shuichi Ozaki
Lexus Magazine has a profile on Shuichi Ozaki, who fine-tunes the driving experience of Lexus models using his 50 years of experience as…a surfer?
Kevin · July 10th, 2012
Taking the Lexus Takumi Origami Challenge
Mark Rechtin of Automotive News tries the Lexus origami challenge, a test given to Lexus manufacturing workers to gauge dexterity.
Kevin · July 10th, 2012
More on 2013 Lexus ES Manufacturing
Reuters has updated their original story on the 2013 Lexus ES production launch with a quote from Toyota president Akio Toyoda.
Kevin · July 9th, 2012
TTAC Tours Lexus LFA Works Factory
Bertel Schmitt from TTAC was given unprecedented access to the Lexus LFA Works factory in Japan, and will be running a five-part series this week documenting the production of the Lexus supercar.
Kevin · July 9th, 2012
2013 Lexus ES Manufacturing Starts in Japan
The 2013 Lexus ES started production today at the Miyagi Plant in Japan.
Kevin · July 6th, 2012
Lexus GS Development Travel Stories
While on the topic of the Lexus GS development, I wanted to link to this collection of travel stories from GS Chief Engineer Yoshihiko Kanamori
Kevin · June 8th, 2012
Lexus Magazine Interviews 2013 ES Chief Engineer Toshio Asahi
This Lexus Magazine interview with Toshio Asahi, chief engineer of the sixth-generation ES, is full of insight into the redesign of Lexus’ top-selling sedan.
Kevin · May 28th, 2012
Details on the Next-Generation Lexus ES Manufacturing
*Lexus Magazine* has some behind-the-scenes details on how the next-generation ES will be manufactured.
Kevin · May 23rd, 2012
How a Lexus LFA Gets Delivered
Speaking of Lexus LFAs being delivered, there’s an interesting feature over on the Toyota Driver’Seat blog about the detailed steps necessary to prepare an LFA for its owner.
Kevin · May 22nd, 2012
Lexus Discontinues the HS 250h
By way of Inside Line, Lexus has confirmed that the HS 250h has been discontinued.
Kevin · May 18th, 2012
Lexus Magazine Profiles the Lexus Stitching Dojo
Can you fold an origami cat with one hand in less than 90 seconds? Lexus may have a job for you.
Kevin · May 4th, 2012
2013 Lexus ES 300h Starts Production
Lexus has released a video of the very first 2013 Lexus ES 300hs being built in Kyushu, Japan.
Kevin · April 25th, 2012
Video: Behind-the-Scenes Look at Lexus Manufacturing
Lexus has released a behind-the-scenes video that looks at the vehicle manufacturing process.
Kevin · April 19th, 2012
Planes, Trains, & Supercars: A Lexus LFA Owner Visits Japan, Part One
The following article was submitted by a Lexus LFA owner who visited Japan to see the supercar being built at the LFA Works factory and ended up having a once-in-a-lifetime experience -- here is part one of his story.
Kevin · March 31st, 2012
2013 Lexus GS 450h Starts Production in Japan
Lexus Europe has announced that production of the 2013 Lexus GS 450h has started at the Tahara plant in Japan.
Kevin · March 20th, 2012
Lexus Magazine Profile on Shuichi Ozaki, Vehicle Performance Tester
Lexus Magazine is running a great profile on Shuichi Ozaki, a Lexus “Meister” whose job “is to identify, safeguard, and optimize the mix of emotions that create the uniquely human appeal of the new GS —- and all Lexus vehicles.”
Kevin · February 27th, 2012
Video: Naked Lexus LFA Bares All
The Tokyo Motor Show wasn’t the first appearance for the “naked” LFA that Lexus had on display — the stripped down supercar made its debut at a LFA owners event at the Nürburgring.
Kevin · December 8th, 2011
Is Lexus Considering Manufacturing Vehicles in the USA?
Fortune has published an article examining the possibility of some Lexus production moving to the USA.
Kevin · December 7th, 2011
Lexus LFA Diorama Display at Tokyo Motor Show
Along with more images of the "naked" Lexus LFA at the Tokyo Motor Show, *Inside Line* has shared photos of an extraordinary diorama on display that illustrates the major stages in building the Lexus supercar.
Kevin · December 2nd, 2011
Lexus Coming to India in 2013
After a four-year evaluation period, Lexus will finally be coming to India, with the first dealerships expected to open in early 2013.
Kevin · November 29th, 2011
2013 Lexus GS Concept Drawings
Included in the press information given out at the 2013 Lexus GS press launch were these two concept drawings.
Kevin · November 28th, 2011
The Lexus IS 350C Heli-Cop-Car
To counteract the travesty of the last video, here’s something from the opposite end of the emotional spectrum — a Lexus IS 350C with cartoon robot arms and a remote-control helicopter mounted to the roof.
Kevin · October 17th, 2011
Report: Lexus GS Almost Cancelled by Akio Toyoda
Have to share this excellent AutoWeek article by Mark Rechtin that details how the Lexus GS was almost cancelled due to internal bureaucracy.
Kevin · August 23rd, 2011
Lexus Manufacturing Status Update
Lexus USA general manager Mark Templin gave an update on the state of Lexus manufacturing at a recent media event in Chicago.
Kevin · July 12th, 2011
Lexus Magazine Photo Essay: Landfall
Lexus Magazine has published a photo essay detailing the intricate procedure each Lexus goes through once it lands in North America after being manufactured and shipped from Japan.
Kevin · July 4th, 2011
Lexus Tops 2011 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study
The results for the J.D. Power's 2011 Initial Quality Study are in, and Lexus has ranked highest among all brands with 73 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), marking the thirteenth time Lexus has been at the top of the list since 1990
Kevin · June 23rd, 2011
Looking at Lexus Sales in Japan
While there's no question that the Tōhoku earthquake has affected Lexus production, Bloomberg has used some sleight-of-hand reporting in their recent article about the brand's Japanese sales, making it appear much worse than it really is.
Kevin · June 8th, 2011
Meet the Elite: Interviews with the LFA Manufacturing Team
Lexus Magazine is running an interesting feature that looks at some of the men responsible for handcrafting the Lexus LFA at the Motomachi plant in Japan.
Kevin · June 6th, 2011
Driving Lessons with Lexus Driving Guru Yoshiaki Ito
Lexus Magazine is running an article featuring Lexus' Drive Meister Yoshiaki Ito, who has helped develop eight Lexus models while working in the company's experimental division.
Kevin · May 29th, 2011
Lexus CT 200h Receives “Top Safety Pick” Rating from IIHS
Following news of a 5-star safety rating in Europe, the Lexus CT 200h has also been named a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the USA.
Kevin · May 27th, 2011
Lexus CT 200h Awarded Five-Star Safety Rating in Europe
The Lexus CT 200h has been awarded a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP, scoring 94% in occupant safety.
Kevin · May 26th, 2011
Behind-the-Scenes Look at Building the Lexus LFA
Lexus Magazine has put together an absolutely stunning photo essay that illustrates the process of building the LFA at the Motomachi plant in Japan.
Kevin · May 11th, 2011
Lexus Unlikely to Remain #1 in U.S. Luxury Sales
Mark Templin, general manager of Lexus USA, has told the Automotive News that due to earthquake-related vehicle shortages, he does not expect Lexus to retain its position as the #1 luxury car manufacturer in the USA for an eleventh year: Lexus dealers will begin to feel shortages of cars this week, and definitely in May, …
Kevin · April 26th, 2011
Akio Toyoda Tours Japan Disaster Zone
Toyota President Akio Toyoda toured Japan’s earthquake disaster zone last week to survey the damage done to the company’s assembly plants, which have remained closed for the most part since the quake. I recommend this excellent recap of Toyoda-san’s visit at Autoweek, which talks in detail about the current challenges that Toyota is facing. (Toyota-san …
Kevin · March 30th, 2011
Lexus USA’s Latest LFA Shipment
Like The Octane Report, Autoblog also witnessed the lastest shipment of Lexus LFAs arriving in the USA, and has put together an exceptionally detailed step-by-step of the process, along with this video: As you can tell from the first photo, three LFAs have arrived: the Pearl Blue we saw yesterday, plus another Black and White …
Kevin · February 18th, 2011
Meet the Journalist Who Influences Lexus Development
Lexus Magazine is running a new article written by Jean-Jacques Cornaert, an automotive journalist who just so happens to get access to unreleased and in-development Lexus vehicles — here’s an excerpt: The [Lexus IS-F] is a masterpiece, the result of several years of thought about what a Lexus can be. It’s also a car that, …
Kevin · February 4th, 2011
1992 Lexus LS 400 Commercial: Steel Plate Drum
Let’s switch gears from all-LFA-all-the-time and take a look at this Lexus LS 400 commercial from 1992: I had never seen this commercial before — and it’s a perfect illustration of how The Hard Way is something Lexus has always subscribed to.
Kevin · January 27th, 2011
Lexus IS Manufacturing Video
The combination of seeing the Lexus LFA manufacturing process and the recent Hard Way commercials reminded me of this 2005 video about the IS assembly line at the Kyushu plant: The level of precision shown in every Lexus never ceases to amaze me — this is the Pursuit of Perfection at work.
Kevin · January 23rd, 2011
Lexus LFA Buyer Tours the LFA Manufacturing Facility
While on the topic of the Lexus LFA production facility, Club Lexus member gengar recently visited the Motomachi plant to see his LFA being built, and recounts the experience in vivid detail — here are some quotes: The tour was led by LFA production manager Shigeru Yamanaka. Accompanying him was LFA chief engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi …
Kevin · January 20th, 2011
The Man Behind the Lexus LFA Manufacturing
Lexus Magazine has a new feature on the man responsible for leading the LFA Works manufacturing team, Shigeru Yamanaka: Shigeru Yamanaka, manufacturing manager at the LFA Works, sums it up with characteristic precision: “We are actually a Takumi team.” Within Lexus, a Takumi—literally, “artisan”—is one of the 10 to 12 top guns of manufacturing. To …
Kevin · January 19th, 2011
More Lexus “Hard Way” Videos
The second group of videos from The Hard Way, made by Lexus USA.
Kevin · January 18th, 2011
The First Production Lexus LFA
The Lexus LFA website has been updated to include a very important milestone — the manufacturing of the very first production LFA: December 15th, 2010. The production of the Lexus LFA begins at the Motomachi Factory LFA Plant. The LFA will be produced by a total of 170 people including the CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced …
Kevin · January 17th, 2011
Lexus LS 460 Commercial: Chain “The Hard Way”
As part of their The Hard Way marketing campaign, Lexus has released a commercial that reinforces the strength of the LS 460 chassis: Keep in mind, this actually happened — here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the commercial’s creation: I can’t believe Scott Pruett parks a LFA underneath five cars suspended by a crane. Crazy. Update: …
Kevin · January 14th, 2011
New Lexus Videos: “The Hard Way”
Revisiting "The Hard Way" -- these are some of my favorite Lexus videos of all time.
Kevin · January 12th, 2011
Interview with “Lexus Performance Meister” Hirokazu Koga
There’s a brilliant interview over at Lexus Magazine with “Lexus Performance Meister” Hirokazu Koga, the man responsible for each Lexus’ feel: You see, Koga’s longtime job was to oversee a seemingly intangible aspect of any car: how it feels to drive, or perhaps, more accurately, how you’re supposed to feel when driving Lexus vehicles. What, …
Kevin · January 6th, 2011
Lexus CT 200h Manufacturing Video
Here’s a new video that gives a glimpse into the CT 200h’s manufacturing process at the Kyushu plant in Japan: I’m a huge fan of manufacturing videos no matter what, but there’s also a strong message in this video — even though the CT 200h will be the entry-level Lexus, it still benefits from the …
Kevin · December 8th, 2010
Lexus LS L-Select Custom Color Combinations
L-Select, the Lexus LS customization program available in Japan, has a brand new website with some (very small) photos of potential color combinations: Iris Topaz Beige Scarlet Rose Olive Umber Snow White Blue Gray Dark Brown Both the Blue Gray & Dark Brown may very well be Alcantara, which is a very nice touch and …
Kevin · December 7th, 2010
Lexus Manufacturing Master of Paint
Lexus Magazine has published a fascinating article on Kimihiro Sakakibara, one of the 10 Lexus Takumi Masters that oversee factory production: For anyone still unfamiliar with the term, Lexus Takumi are the automotive equivalent of a 10th Dan black belt. Each of the ten Takumi specializes in a key area of the vehicle—and each commands …
Kevin · August 4th, 2010
More on the Lexus Engine Recall
Lexus USA will be formally submitting their recall of approximately 138,000 Lexus vehicles next week with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall will apply to certain 2006, 2007 & 2008 GS, IS, and LS models equipped with 4.6 and 5.0L V8 and 3.5L V6 engines. Here’s the full breakdown: GS 350: 2007-2008 GS …
Kevin · July 2nd, 2010
Lexus Confirms Engine Recall
Toyota has announced that there will be a recall on 270,000 Lexus (and one model Toyota) worldwide — from The New York Times: Toyota will recall a total of 90,000 Lexus and Crown sedans in Japan, and is “making preparations to take similar, appropriate actions” for 180,000 more cars that carry the same engine worldwide, …
Kevin · July 1st, 2010
Potential Lexus Engine Recall
Toyota has announced today that they may be recalling 270,000 Lexus cars after discovering a problem with the 4.6L V8 and 3.5L V6 engines used throughout the lineup — from the Wall Street Journal: The auto maker has found a problem with the valve spring of 4.6 liter V8 engines and 3.5 liter V6 engines …
Kevin · July 1st, 2010
Lexus LFA Configuration Kit
Flickr user itzjere (aka Jeremy) had the enviable task of configuring a Lexus LFA for his boss, and posted some pictures of the process (click for larger images): This LFA configuration kit shows an amazing attention to detail, and looks to be an excellent way to choose a car color combo. I asked Jeremy a …
Kevin · June 29th, 2010
Updated Lexus GX 460 Resumes Sales and Production
Today Lexus announced that the Vehicle Stability Control update for the 2010 GX 460 is now available at all U.S. and Canadian dealerships. Dealers have begun contacting owners to set up service appointments for the software fix, and most should receive messages within the next week. Concurrently, sales of the GX 460 are resuming, as …
Kevin · April 29th, 2010
Sundance Channel Visits Lexus’ U.S. Headquarters
The Sundance Channel’s “Big Ideas for a Small Planet” series received rare access to Lexus’ U.S. headquarters in 2008, and video clips have been posted online. In its quest to find eco-friendly businesses, the program looked at Lexus’ environmental commitment as reflected in its headquarters, hybrid drive lineup, and future planning. For those enthusiasts interested …
Kevin · April 27th, 2010
More on the Lexus LFA Buying Process
Automobile Magazine has more on the Lexus LFA buying process: What I want to talk about is how a person might go about purchasing an LFA. Buying an exotic car, especially one in high demand, like most Ferraris, can be a very taxing experience even for the most battle-hardened business person. How do I get …
Kevin · November 17th, 2009
More Information on the Lexus LFA Buying Process
As time goes on, we’re going to find the process of selling the Lexus LFA will almost be as interesting as the car itself—case in point, the Toronto Star has published some background information for potential Canadian buyers: For the first time in mainstream automotive memory, a car is being brought to market that drivers …
Kevin · November 2nd, 2009
Lexus LFA Carbon Fiber Creation Video
Here’s a video that shows the machine responsible for the Lexus LFA’s dual-carbon fiber A-pillars: Called a rotary weaver, this machine is of only two such devices in existence, and is used expressly for the creation of the carbon fiber components of the LFA. Hard to imagine what else this machine will create—the possibilities are …
Kevin · November 1st, 2009
1992 Lexus SC 400 Dealership Video
After look at the present & future of the Lexus SC, I thought it might be interesting to look back at the model’s history—the following video is a dealership introduction for the first-generation SC 400, and is an important look back at what Lexus was trying to achieve with their first sports coupe: Amazing when …
Kevin · August 20th, 2009
Lexus to Triple HS 250h Production
In order to keep up with the Japanese demand for the HS 250h, Lexus will be tripling production of the new hybrid. As reported by the Nikkei (by way of The Green Car Congress), even after producing 2,000 units in July, there are still 8,600 pre-orders for the hybrid sedan. This is seventeen times the …
Kevin · August 8th, 2009
Lexus IS-C Demand Outpacing Production
The Lexus IS-C is off to a booming start in the US, with dealerships selling the new convertible faster than Lexus’s Kyushu plant in Japan can make them. Wards has the story: The facility is ramping up to produce at least 225 IS-C models a month just for the Northeast region of the U.S., Scott …
Kevin · July 8th, 2009
Lexus RX 450h to be Built in Canada?
Even more manufacturing news—Automotive News is reporting that Lexus RX 450h production may move from Japan to the Toyota Cambridge plant. Motor Authority has more details: During a press event, a Lexus executive Paul Williamsen said the first hybrid built outside of Japan will go into production this summer in Ontario, Canada, reports Automotive News. …
Kevin · June 30th, 2009
Ward’s Looks at Lexus Manufacturing
One of the defining characteristics of Lexus has always been the care taken in assembling their vehicles, and the Toyota Tahara Plant is the very definition of that attention to detail—Ward’s Auto takes a closer look at some of the manufacturing processes that go into building a Lexus: Toyota Motor Corp.’s Tahara plant, now in …
Kevin · June 30th, 2009
Lexus RX Discovery Special Now on Lexus.com
Last night, the Discovery Channel show Factory Made had a short behind-the-scenes feature on the 2010 Lexus RX 350 manufacturing process, and today that video has been posted on the Lexus USA website. As the video shows, the RX 350 is built in Cambridge, Ontario, and is an incredibly detailed process—even painting the RX takes …
Kevin · June 20th, 2009
Lexus RX 350 Manufacturing Special on The Discovery Channel Tomorrow
Tomorrow night, Discovery Channel show Factory Made will be airing a behind-the-scenes look at the building of a Lexus RX 350—from the show description: Starting as 50-tons of steel and emerging as a precision driving machine, take the front seat to an amazing manufacturing process. Welcome to the Lexus plant where the new RX350 is …
Kevin · June 18th, 2009