Toyota’s Kentucky manufacturing plant has unveiled the first ever US-produced Lexus ES 350, the brand’s best-selling sedan in the country.
The company has already invested $360m in the plant, creating 750 new jobs.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky president Wil James said: "This is really a proud moment for us and brings us full circle.
"To be the first wholly owned plant, building the number one best-selling car in America, the Camry, for 13 years in a row, and then to be selected to build the first Lexus is truly a tribute to our team members."
The ES 350 sedan is powered by a 3.5L six-cylinder engine, which is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that uses low friction parts to improve the overall efficiency.
Features of the sedan include enhanced roadside assistance, an emergency assistance button (SOS), stolen vehicle location services, and automatic collision notification to a safety connect centre.
The Toyota's largest plant in North America now has a total capacity of 50,000 vehicles for the new line. The addition of the Lexus units will boost the plant's total capacity to more than 550,000 vehicles a year.
Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz said: "The Kentucky plant is known for being one of the top vehicle manufacturing facilities in the world.
"With our talented team in Georgetown building our popular ES 350, we're positioned to better serve our U.S. customers now and well into the future."
Meanwhile, Lexus started a national integrated marketing campaign for the refreshed 2016 Lexus LX 570.
The 2016 Lexus LX 570 features V8 engine, 4WD chassis and seating arrangement for eight.
Image: Lexus ES 350 is claimed to be the brand's best-selling sedan in the US. Photo: courtesy of Toyota/ PR Newswire.
