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First Luxury Lexus Built Outside of Japan Rolls off the Line in Cambridge, Ontario
September 26, 2003 - Cambridge, Ontario - Automotive history was made in Canada today, as Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC) became the first automobile plant outside of Japan to manufacture the luxury brand of Lexus vehicles.
The first Canadian-built Lexus RX 330, the luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) now in its second generation, rolled off a dedicated Lexus line at the plant in view of TMMC team members, as well as Toyota executives from around the globe, and government dignitaries.
"This is a great day for all of us here in Cambridge," said a jubilant TMMC President Ray Tanguay. "We have been working for more than three years to realize this dream." Toyota invested CAD$650 million in upgrades and new construction for Lexus production. Lexus has a separate manufacturing area at the plant, which includes a new state-of-the-art paint shop using waterborne cartridge paint technology, and a new state-of-the-art welding shop. "The Lexus Project has been an immense undertaking and a humbling honour," said Tanguay.
The RX 330 is also manufactured at Toyota Motor Kyushu Inc. in Japan. Since 2000, Canadian and Japanese Lexus team members have traveled back and forth between the two plants to prepare for manufacturing at the levels of luxury and quality Lexus customers expect. "We found that a strong skillset is very important, but the key difference is the mindset," added Tanguay. "A Lexus frame of mind seeks perfection in every process, on every manufacturing line, and in every vehicle. Manufacturing Lexus demands a deep understanding of what customers want, expect and deserve in a luxury vehicle. We call it the relentless pursuit of perfection."
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