Lexus ES 350 to Become Luxury Brand's First Model Built Stateside

WATERTOWN, Mass., May 1, 2013 — Though the United States is the largest market for Lexus, none of the luxury auto brand's vehicles are currently built stateside. That is about to change, however, with the automaker recently announcing plans to bring production of the Lexus ES 350 to its Georgetown, Ky., plant by 2015.

Lexus' move will mark the first time that the ES will be built outside of Japan, and the car will become only the second Lexus model to be manufactured outside of the Land of the Rising Sun. To prepare its Kentucky assembly line for production of the ES 350, Lexus will be investing $360 million and hiring 750 new workers. About 50,000 units of the Lexus ES 350 will be produced annually at the facility.

"The Lexus ES is the brand's best-selling car in the United States, so it makes a lot of sense for the model to be the first in the lineup to be built here," said Vincent Liuzzi, general manager of Lexus of Watertown, a Greater Boston Lexus dealer. "Lexus has recently put a lot more faith in its American employees to lead the company to success, whether it's on the executive level, the design level or on the factory floor."

Redesigned for the 2013 model year, the Lexus ES now features a more aggressive body style, sporting a lower profile, a new signature spindle grille and an "L" design motif on its LED daytime running lights and combination rear lamps. Inside, the driver's seat has been reshaped to increase comfort, while rear passengers will find 4.1 more inches of legroom.

The 2013 Lexus ES matches its bolder styling with a more engaging driving experience, offering improved handling thanks to a revised suspension and a lowered steering gear ratio. With its 3.5-liter V6 engine, the Lexus ES 350 produces 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, while an all-new ES 300h hybrid leverages its 2.5-liter four-cylinder powerplant, electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery pack to return up to 40 mpg during combined driving.

"The Lexus ES has received a big boost in popularity since the redesigned model went on sale last year, and it's great to know that its success will soon be benefiting more American workers," added Liuzzi. "Buyers of the 2013 Lexus ES get performance, style and luxury that belie the car's affordable price tag, and that is a hard proposition to pass up."

About Lexus of Watertown:
Lexus of Watertown is a recipient of multiple Elite of Lexus awards, given annually to dealerships that showcase overall excellence. They have a wide selection of new and certified pre-owned Lexus models, in addition to an exemplary service department that keeps customers coming back. Easily accessible from MetroWest, the North Shore and the South Shore, Lexus of Watertown is just minutes off the Mass Pike between Route 128 and Route 93. For more information, visit them online at www.lexusofwatertown.com, call them at 888-677-9785, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LexusWatertown, or stop by their showroom at 330 Arsenal Street in Watertown, Mass.