It’s one of the best-selling vehicles Lexus makes and now it’s made in the United States. Today the first-ever U.S.-produced ES 350 rolled off the assembly line at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant.

“This is really a proud moment for us and brings us full circle,” said Wil James, president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.  “To be the first wholly owned plant, building the number one best-selling car in America, the Camry, for 13 years in a row, and then to be selected to build the first Lexus is truly a tribute to our team members.”

To get the plant ready, Toyota has invest $360 million in a new dedicated assembly line, adding 750 new jobs. Total capacity for the new line will be 50,000 vehicles.

“Localizing Lexus production is in line with our North American production strategy, and is rooted in our philosophy of building cars where we sell them,” said Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz.  “The Kentucky plant is known for being one of the top vehicle manufacturing facilities in the world.  With our talented team in Georgetown building our popular ES 350, we’re positioned to better serve our U.S. customers now and well into the future.”

With the addition of the Lexus units, the Kentucky plant will have capacity to build more than 550,000 vehicles a year.  Total employment now stands at over 7,500.

image courtesy of Toyota