Lexus RX Hybrids to be Made in Cambridge, Ontario; 400 new jobs
Toyota Production Capacity in Canada to Climb To 500,000

CAMBRIDGE, ON, July 24, 2012 - Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC) announced today that it will invest more than $100 million and hire approximately 400 employees to increase Lexus RX production at its Cambridge, Ontario facility. Overall Lexus RX capacity will increase by 30,000 vehicles to 104,000 units, including 15,000 RX450h vehicles, the hybrid electric version of the popular Lexus. The investment will take Toyota's annual production capacity in Canada to 500,000 units.

This is the second major investment announcement for Toyota's Canadian manufacturing operation this year.  In March, TMMC announced an investment of $80 million in its Woodstock, ON plant.  Today's announcement increases Toyota's direct job creation in Canada this year to 800 new jobs for a total of 7,300.

"For almost nine years now, Canada has had the only Lexus production outside of Japan," observed TMMC Chairman Ray Tanguay. "New jobs, along with new technology, is great news for Canada."

Toyota is targeting early 2014 for expanded Lexus production. "This is a big and ambitious project with new technology, exacting standards and tight timelines," commented TMMC President, Brian Krinock. "Our Team Members have demonstrated time and time again that they thrive on these kinds of challenges."

In 2011, the Governments of Canada and Ontario partnered with Toyota on a multi-project suite of initiatives designed to sustain and grow Toyota's manufacturing footprint in Canada and encourage the production of greener, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

"Our government's top priority is creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity, and we are pleased to see Toyota expanding production at its Cambridge facility," said the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry. "Canada is a great place to build vehicles, and we will continue to encourage investment by providing tax relief, eliminating tariffs on machinery and equipment, and creating an environment that promotes innovation, research and development."

Ontario's Minister of Economic Development and Innovation, Brad Duguid, commented, "Our government understands the critical role of manufacturing in the Province's development and growth. Toyota's announcement strengthens Ontario's position as North America's leading jurisdiction for automotive assembly."

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. has been building quality vehicles in Canada for more than 25 years.  TMMC produces the Toyota Corolla, Matrix, RAV4 and RAV4 EV vehicles and the Lexus RX model in assembly plants located in Cambridge, ON and Woodstock, ON.  The TMMC Lexus plant has received top J.D. Power and Associates plant quality awards for three consecutive years. For more information about Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, visit www.tmmc.ca

It's only been a few weeks since Lexus unveiled the new generation Lexus GS350, and now they are rounding up the crowd again with the debut of the GS 450h at the Frankfurt Motor Show. A relatively young model on the market - it was first unveiled in 2007 - the GS 450H is now the world's first premium performance sedan to be equipped with a V6 Atkinson cycle gas engine and two-motor hybrid system.

The hybrid system combines an Atkinson cycle 3.5-liter V6 engine with a two-motor hybrid system in a front-engine/rear-wheel drive configuration. They both deliver a total of 338 HP and will sprint the GS 450h from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. Fuel economy has also been improved by 30%. The model will be equipped with a Drive Mode selector that will allow the driver to choose between Eco, Sport S, Sport S+ and EV modes.

Exterior and Interior

Lexus' new GS 450h will be immediately recognized as a new generation Lexus GS, but it will be distinguished from the standard GS model thanks to a unique three-lamp design that aligns the turn signal and the Lexus-first high and low beam LED lamps in a single horizontal row. The rear bumper covers the exhaust pipe apertures and there is a special Lexus' signature blue hybrid badging.

As for the interior, the GS 450h offers many of the items found on the gas-powered model. It includes the next generation Remote Touch, an analog clock with LED indicators, and a new energy-saving auto climate control system called S-Flow. A unique feature for the hybrid model is a bamboo-finished steering wheel and hybrid monitor.

Hybrid Powertrain

The Lexus GS 450h's hybrid system combines an Atkinson cycle 3.5-liter V6 engine with a two-motor hybrid system in a front-engine/rear-wheel drive configuration. This setup provides a total output of 338 HP, allowing the new Lexus GS 450h to deliver impressive performance numbers for a hybrid model. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 131 mph.

The GS 450h comes equipped with the Lexus Dynamic Handling system and an integrated four-wheel steering system that monitors vehicle speed, steering direction, and driver inputs. By doing so, the system calculates the optimum angle for all four wheels. Using VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering) to the front and DRS to the rear, the system can independently control both front and rear wheel steering angles to help improve turn-in response, rear grip, vehicle stability and overall agility when cornering.

Competition

The upgrades provided for the Lexus GS 450h were the next logical step for Lexus, especially considering that Infiniti is now offering a very serious competitor in the M35 Hybrid. The Infiniti model combines a naturally aspirated 3.5 Liter V6 and an efficient electric motor for a total of 350 HP. It also delivers a fuel economy of 27 mpg and is on sale at a starting price of $53,700. We're just hoping Lexus will announce better numbers for the GS 450h.

Written by Simona at Topspeed.com

Okay, you're sold. You're excited. August can't come soon enough. Why? Because that's when the 2013 ES arrives in Lexus dealerships, and one of them will be yours?all yours.

But because August is still a few months away, we thought we could at least give you a periodic look at what's happening with your ES at the moment?and we'll start with the stitching dojo.

You see, your new 2013 Lexus ES will feature a small but premium design element: real stitching that runs along the top of the instrument panel upholstery. For several reasons (the materials involved, the precision required), this stitching work requires extremely skilled craftspeople to apply flawlessly?but the result adds a warm, handcrafted touch that contrasts elegantly with the high-tech feel of the panel's gauges.

Enter the stitching dojo, Lexus' special training facility for discovering and fine-tuning its ES-stitching talent. As of today, only about 12 craftspeople have made the cut.

Lexus first evaluates potential stitching specialists' dexterity, and one of the qualifying tests is to fold a piece of paper into a perfectly constructed origami cat. Challenging but doable, right? But understand this: the folding must be done with only one hand?the non-dominant one?and it must be completed in under 90 seconds.

Qualified specialists next need to acquire the necessary skills for the job, which they get through a systematic, 10-step training program. The training takes three months, and the craftspeople are required to master all 10 steps before they can perform actual 2013 ES production work.

When done just right, the stitching is simple and elegant, but the work that goes into it is difficult. A large piece of urethane upholstery is placed on a sewing machine and manipulated by hand at just the right speed. Unlike a flat piece of leather, the urethane is three-dimensional, and every curve and corner must be handled precisely.

After the stitching is complete, it's of course visually inspected for imperfections?all so you, a future 2013 ES owner, will be pleased with the results.

Lexus Financial Services is pleased to announce 2 great new options to lower your monthly payment. Lease customers can take advantage of a 20,000kms low KM lease (standard lease provides 24,000kms) and finance customers can choose a biweekly payment period for their loans.