Toyota's Cambridge, Ontario Plant Good Enough for Lexus
Canadians should be proud. The 'Passionate Pursuit of Perfection' people have chosen the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC) Cambridge, Ontario plant to build the all-new second-generation RX 330, the first ever Lexus to be built outside of Japan.
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| The first ever Lexus to be built outside of Japan, the RX 330, are now coming off the line in Cambridge, Ontario. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
On Friday, September 26, 2003, the first RX 330 rolled off the line at the completely updated facility, with all the fanfare of a Detroit auto show unveiling. Dignitaries from both sides of the Pacific were on hand, as well as top company officials, witnessing an event that was many years in the making.
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| With great fanfare, and dignitaries on hand from both sides of the Pacific, the first RX 330 rolls off the line. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
"This is a great day for all of us here in Cambridge," commented TMMC President Ray Tanguay. "We have been working for more than three years to realize this dream."
Toyota's total investment to upgrade the plant came to CAD$650 million, money spent on a completely separate manufacturing area for Lexus. The facility, that even features painted floors, is bright and exceptionally clean. Its paint shop uses waterborne cartridge paint technology, while its welding shop is seriously high-tech.
Team members have been traveling back and forth between Cambridge and Kyushu, Japan, the previous RX 300 and current Japanese RX 330 plant, for more than three years, Canadian workers flying west to learn specific skill sets and adopt the high quality standards expected of Lexus employees, and Japanese team leaders crossing the pacific eastward to teach and help implement new methods and philosophies to the Cambridge staff.