Toyota has stop suffering and started making money this year, but the strong Japanese yen is still hurting the company. As a result, it’s adopting a “build’em where you sell’em” strategy, which can most clearly be seen with the Lexus brand.
There’s nothing particularly wrong with “Made in Japan” luxury, but Lexus need to ensure they can stay competitive and take back some of the lead BMW and Mercedes has worked up in the US market. That’s why production of the 2013 model year RX crossover is being shifted to Canada, and why they could be making the ES sedan in Georgetown, where the Camry is made.
“The ES is now built out of Japan, so that would be something we would look at,” Toyota US chief Jim Lentz told Wall Street Journal about the sedan model. “Everything is on the table.”
WSJ suggests that production could be shifted to Toyota’s Georgetown plant in Kentucky, where the Camry is made. But while the 2012 ES was Camry based, this new model is more related to the new Avalon.
The new ES is offred in 350 and 300h form, with prices starting at $36,995 including destination. It comes with better legroom, 10 airbags and integrated SiriusXM satellite radio.
“The ES is now built out of Japan, so that would be something we would look at,” Toyota US chief Jim Lentz told Wall Street Journal about the sedan model. “Everything is on the table.”
WSJ suggests that production could be shifted to Toyota’s Georgetown plant in Kentucky, where the Camry is made. But while the 2012 ES was Camry based, this new model is more related to the new Avalon.
The new ES is offred in 350 and 300h form, with prices starting at $36,995 including destination. It comes with better legroom, 10 airbags and integrated SiriusXM satellite radio.