Toyota to build its first factory in China to produce electric Lexus - Nikkei Asia
Toyota is preparing to build its first own plant in China. The new plant, which will be located in Shanghai, will produce electric cars of the premium brand Lexus. This is reported by Nikkei Asia.
Here's What We Know
The plant is planned to be up and running by 2027. Toyota hopes that this will help strengthen its position in the world's largest car market. Right now, the Japanese company only produces cars in China through joint ventures with local manufacturers such as FAW, GAC and BYD. For example, FAW recently started producing the Land Cruiser Prado in Chengdu.
The Shanghai plant will be Toyota's first fully independent facility in China. Officially, the company has yet to confirm the information from insiders.
China is the second most important market for Lexus after the US. In 2022, Americans bought more than 320,000 of the premium brand's vehicles, while the Chinese bought more than 180,000 units.
Lexus LF-ZC Concept. Photo: Lexus
Lexus showed a new direction for electrification in the LF-ZC concept unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in April this year. The all-wheel-drive car with a range of up to 1,000 kilometres should become a production vehicle by the time the new plant is launched.
Source: Nikkei Asia
