Lexus Regional Sales : 2021-23

Lexus was conceived as a North American brand, utilising top of the range Toyota models. Lexus arrived in the US in 1989 and it gradually expanded beyond North America. Toyota is a name so revered in Japan it wasn't deemed necessary to have a distinctive brand there so wasn't introduced there. 

It finally made its debut in Japan for the year 2005 but it wasn't that successful. It was outsold by both Mercedes and BMW for some years. It passed the latter in 2019 and likewise Mercedes in 2023 to become the top selling premium brand in its homeland. 

Looking at regions, North America still takes over 40% of all Lexus cars sold. A combined Asia is close to North American volume despite lower sales in China. Japan has suddenly moved up 11.5 percentage points! That's why it's become the top premium brand in Japan.  

As for the rest, Europe is a very disappointing 8.4% of sales. German premium marques chase volume in ways Lexus isn't. The Middle East has had an unturn and has been closing in on Europe. 

Data source: Toyota Group.

Toyota/Lexus Production (By Nation) : 2022-23

Global production was up 11.1% for 2023. Japan was +27%, the rest of Asia was +2.1%,  North America +9.5%, Latin America +0.9%, Europe +0.7% and Africa +34%. 

Asia (including Japan) contributed 2 in every 3 vehicles made, North America 1 in 5 and Europe 1 in 12. Japan alone made 1 in 3. China and the US are the next two largest producers. Thailand and Canada come 4th and 5th. The production country of the year goes to India which made a third of a million cars, up 170%! The UK could do with a second model.

Data source: Toyota Group.

JLR Sales By Plant : 2022-23

JLR doesn't have a large number of assembly plants yet it has more than many might expect considering its size. The data below is retail sales attributed back to the factory of origin as best as I can do so. Volume was up 27% which was really positive. 

Data source: JLR data as a basis.

Plants: Solihull c. Birmingham in the English Midlands is the largest producer of vehicles, mostly Land Rover. Nitra is in the west of Slovakia and is increasingly an important cog in the manufacturing structure of JLR. Only LR vehicles are made here. 

Changshu in China is near Shanghai and the operation is in conjunction with Chery. Just over 50,000 units were assembled there in 2023 but with the capacity to expand if need be. Halewood, c. Liverpool in the NW of England is being repurposed as a fully electric vehicle producing plant which will be disruptive to production in the short term I would imagine.

Of the others, Magna Steyr Graz makes cars under contract for Jaguar, Castle Bromwich will soon no longer be used to assemble Jaguars but will be used for body panel pressing and possibly other roles too. Finally the Brazilian plant in Itatiaia, located in the state of Rio de Janiero. It was an interesting option to assemble and the numbers are below where I thought they would be.

Summary: A broad range of plants in fairly well scattered locations is currently being used for a smaller volume car maker. The numbers were up nicely in 2023.