Lexus has officially announced that its first locally produced model will debut in 2027, positioning itself strategically in the world’s largest automotive market with a focus on electrification. The announcement underscores the brand’s ongoing commitment to China as a core hub for automotive innovation and localization, aiming to deliver classic models tailored to local consumer preferences.
Reports indicate that the new Lexus plant in Shanghai’s Jinshan district was established in 2025. Serving as the brand’s first overseas manufacturing facility built entirely from scratch, the plant will focus exclusively on developing and manufacturing products tailored for Chinese buyers. The factory will act as a key strategic bridgehead for high-end electric vehicle production and research, with mass-market models expected to feature cutting-edge innovations such as solid-state batteries.
Industry insiders previously revealed that Lexus’s inaugural locally built pure electric SUV is scheduled to enter production in the autumn of 2027. The vehicle will leverage advanced gigacasting technology, consolidating multiple aluminum body components into a single large casting to reduce vehicle weight and extend driving range. This upcoming model is anticipated to be designed specifically for the Chinese market.
Following the commencement of production at the new facility, the initial monthly capacity is projected at approximately 1,000 units during its first year, with output gradually scaling up to tens of thousands of vehicles annually. Operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lexus in Shanghai, the plant will dedicate its operations to manufacturing pure electric vehicles.