CANADIAN FACTORY vs JAPANESE FACTORY - ANY DIFFERENCE IN RELIABILITY?
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- Опубліковано 27 чер 2023
- This could be one of the most controversial videos as it explains whether North American-built Toyota/Lexus vehicles are as reliable as vehicles built in Japan - especially over a long term. Using the 2023 Lexus RX as a reference point, Automotive Engineer David Chao provides 5 reasons why he believes that Canadian-built vehicle like the RX is just as reliable and as well built as similar RX built in Japan. Also included at the end of the video is the interview between David and AMD from the Car Care Nut channel, where they talk about this exact same topic on reliability (filmed last year in AMD's channel). They both come to the same conclusion that as long as it's a Toyota or Lexus product, the QRD (quality, reliability, durability) is the same for vehicles built in North America vs Japan.
Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, engineering, and strategy. With over 35 years of engineering experience, David is able to review vehicles from unique perspectives utilizing technical and specialized methods. David is a board member and a director at AJAC (Automobile Journalist Association of Canada).
David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean/Agile Thinking, and travels all around the world to review vehicles and teach latest engineering methods. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston. - Авто та транспорт
Now compare the Kentucky and Mexico plants against the Japan plants. We know Canada does an excellent job in quality control.
Not quiet sure about the Canada’s “excellent job”. My Canadian built NX has proved me otherwise.
@@alirezasohReally? What’s been wrong with it?
That;s like comparing cholera to ebola
I prefer vehicles made in Japan 🇯🇵. I personally would not buy any vehicle built outside of Japan. My 2023 Lexus IS350 was built in the Tahara factory in Japan. I love it ❤
Work ethic is different which I prefer Japan one
I can tell you right now, as a Lexus tech who DPRs new cars, the new RX is a train wreck. As I type this, I have 4 cars just delivered today with problems. One has a noisy steering column while turning. Two have failing circumference camera monitors, one has a loose AC vent (seen this multiple times) and the drivers seat squeals when you have the ventilator fans on. This is only one day. What happened to QC??
My chassis iD starts with J and that makes me happy…
Buying a lexus/toyota not made in Japan is pointless
Hello David. Thank you for this encouraging and informative video. I look forward to the next one. Keep up the great work!
Japanese peoples take their pride and their job seriously
So do Canadians lol
I live in the USA but I prefer cars made in Japan
Thanks for sharing David, interesting thoughts
David I’m a big fan and watch all your videos
I saw your recent video of the 2023 RX350. You said the fitment was a bit off with some panels like gas door. Also some paint defects. I too have noticed some of these issues. I do believe there is a difference between the workmanship of the Japanese vs here in North America. I’m not concerned about reliability, but at the price you pay for a Lexus it should be perfect!
Good video and I respect both of yours knowledge
Thanks for the Video. I still believe there is difference between Japan made cars and North American made ones. I Currently own a 22 Lexus NX made in the Canada. Firstly based on TMMC website, NX and Rav4 are built on the same line. Toyota says workers selected for Lexus production lines are handpicked from more experienced workers from Toyota lines. So NX is not benefiting from that. From my own experience, my car has assembly imperfections inside and outside, mechanical issue like missing transmission mount nut after 1 year of use. So either Lexus has gone down in quality as a whole regardless of plant or people in Cambridge Ontario are not working as per Lexus standards. But unfortunately I paid for that car and nothing else I can do. Thanks Lexus!
I put a deposit down on a 2024 NX350 F Sport. Thought by now they would have perfected the manufacturing, but they have not. Right away in the delivery room I noticed there were imperfections in the panel gaps. The difference in gaps on the sides of the lift gate was the most noticeable with there being a much bigger gap on the left than on the right. I took my deposit back and now considering a different car unless I can hunt down a Japanese built one.
Currently own a 23’ UX and was so impressed by the build quality/reliability that we went back to look at the NX and RX.
Disappointed with the panel gaps, flexing/creaking of the interior of the two especially considering the UX is the entry level Lexus.
Will it get better? Possibly with time but for now I’ll stick with Japan built Lexus’.
You are right and the proof is the number of north American built Toyota and Lexus cars still on the road. These are machines and need to get regular TLC to keep working at optimum levels too.
Very honest review.
Hi David, do you think it will be possible for you to have a look at the Lexus LBX when you're next out in Europe or Japan? Would really like to hear your thoughts on its quality. Thanks for giving quality such a high importance in your reviews.
Reliability - perhaps not by much, but in terms of build quality and fitment - I’d bet somewhat yes!
I am wondering if the engine and transmission on the Canadian ones are also built in Canada? thank you for great videos
from my own experience, I had a Japanese Rav4 and what a well-built car, for this reason we bought a 2020 hybrid Rav4 made in Canada and what a bad experience, between the gas tank problem, loose mirrors and the amount of rattles it was sold and we bought a Highlander 2021 platinum hybrid and the same thing, a lot of rattles for a $50K car. But that is the reality we are in, and even Toyota is moving their production of cars here to the USA and Canada. I'm sure the cars made in Japan have better quality control standards and not just Toyota.
Same issues with my Canadian built NX.
I bought a new 2023 Tacoma TRD Pro. The rear hatch is completely misaligned requiring me to slam it to close properly. The paint has all kinds of blemishes and imperfections. Lastly, one of the black plastic fender panels unglued itself in various spots. I brought up all these esthetic but quite major defects on a new $54k car to the dealership and received terrible customer service. After trying to accuse me of creating the fender defect - dealer said ” well, we don’t know if you didn’t cause this damage polishing the car”… Really, a new car that I brought back with a few hundred miles as soon as it got warm?! They then took it to a 3rd party shop, without telling me, and had them replace the fender, an easy job they completely botched. Now I have white double stick tape visible on the whole fender. The rear gate issue they completely brushed off and said it cannot be aligned and has to be taken to a body shop. Reallly, a brand new trd pro to another 3rd party body shop?! The Toyota quality control is a complete myth and dealer service I found is even worse. Honest opinion from someone who buys many new, often premium cars. I should mention I bought the tacoma in its last year of production for the 3rd gen hoping all defects are ironed out. Not so. I even brought up the fender issue again in their customer feedback survey post service and no one has bothered to reach out to me from the dealer or Toyota.
Sounds like you found a bad dealer, a good one would have taken care of that no questions
Sounds like the people who built your Tacoma in Mexico are not getting paid enough and doing a lousy job....$15 per day what you expect🤣🤣🤣
Terrible. Not the same as Japan work ethic.
I also prefer cars built in Japan. That said, I just got a RX that was built in Canada. I wanted a base car and there weren’t any available built in Japan. It didn’t seem practical to spend more money per month just to have a Japanese built model. Overall, I can’t find any paint blemishes on my car. I think all of the panels line up very well. The back doors however don’t shut with the same ease as the front doors. It’s subtle, but I can tell a slight difference. I would like to walk around a Japanese built model to see if I can pick out and defects on it. Overall, I am very happy with the quality of my Canadian built RX.
The reason I didn't buy new nx made in Canada. I'll keep mine japan built till it last. I won't belive that there no difference in built quality
Hi David, my most recent vehicles - 1993 Toyota Corolla wagon and 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara - were built in Japan. I did not specifically look for them in terms of where they were built. In the case of the Corolla wagon it was the vehicle that I liked most at the time. In the Suzuki’s case it was a gift from a relative.
I gather that the content on this channel was affecting sales :)
I think the one exception to this rule of all Toyota / Lexus plants being relatively equal in overall quality, might be when the particular model is being built at another manufacturers plant like BMW (Z4 / Supra) and Subaru (BRZ / GR86). Toyota is not in complete control of the design and manufacturing process and those models may be less reliable in the long term as pure Toyota / Lexus models. While the Supra may be a very good car, it's still going to be plagued by some of the typical BMW issues.
thanks guys for the video 2 of the best bloggers who talk about Toyota and lexus, but I prefer a car from Japan because people there are very responsible in their work and their business.
Hi David, thanks for your video. I agree with you that reliability maybe just as good for Toyota/Lexus built in North America as those built in Japan. However, one distinct verified difference I notice is that the RAV4 built in Japan sold in the North American have the removable front eyelet covers for the tow hook connectors where as the RAV4s built in Canada and Kentucky do NOT have this. Different specs for the same car sold to the same customers in the same market… different based on the country of build origin. Might you know why this is? I would consider this as a significant feature difference based on the country of build. Front recovery points do matter to some customers in North America.
It’s not a recovery point. It’s used to tie the car down while on the boat to the U.S.
David, You and AMD should do a new video to celebrate Canada Day and Independence Day. I hope this video gets you back on Stephen Beatty's Christmas card list.😉😉😉I also hope Stephen Beatty brings the Corolla Touring Sports wagon to Canada to get himself back on our Christmas card list😁😁
Got a brand new RX hybrid. 65k dollars and the main trim piece is already falling off on the dashboard and has 100 miles on it. Terribly disappointing. And the paint job is awful. So many blemishes and bumps.
Was it made in Canada?
or in North america ?
Hi David, can you please explain how a new generation prototype vehicle is made when the current generation model is in production. Do they start new production line to build the prototype and start working on having this line correctly building the new generation vehicles?
I have two vehicles both built in Japan.......2019 Lexus GX 460 and 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. I always make sure to buy a Lexus or Toyota built in Japan even if I have to wait to get it. Some models for the US market are not made in Japan only north America like the Camry or Mexico like the Tacoma....so I avoid those vehicles unless I really wanted one and couldn't get one built in Japan.
Absolutely yes, anyone that says otherwise are lying or ignorant.
@@naveenthemachine the exception rather than the rule,
Well, I need to know what you think of the Lexus Kentucky plant that built my 2023 ES300h Ultra Luxury model?
Very Nice ❤
My Canadian-built RX was so riddled with issues I traded back to a Toyota within 18 months. After owning many Toyotas and working with the company for some time, I was pretty disappointed, and even more so with Lexus’ and the dealership’s disinterest. Sadly, at the very least, consistency isn’t there yet.
Is COVID a factor in quality parts even for Lexus?? I'm hearing mechanics say quality is not as good as it's been in the past.
Hi, I have a 2023 RX 350 and since the first day, it has had a problem with a vibration and the brake calipers wear out and they always check it and say it's the tires. I am totally frustrated with this brand that is not cheap but it has not fulfilled the standards of a vehicle of its level, this SUV was built in Canada. Thank you
Based on feedback from Lexus NX forums, some Canadian made NX have much higher complains and defects compared with the Japanese made ones. Rattles, internal/external finishing, electrical systems etc
Hope to get my first Toyota product soon !
I'd rather have a car built in Ontario than Alabama. 😅
Why is TMC in Japan still unhappy with North American QDR vs. Japan? Yet they let TMNA build more trucks in Mexico. Because of the $$$. Glad I'm retired now.
My 2023 RAV4 hybrid is built in Canada, panel gaps in the engine hood. The dealer where I bought it from can’t adjust it properly ! ! They have tried multiple times.
And the blind spot monitor on the passenger side does not work all the time.
I should have stayed with a Subaru. 😢
I got a new nx 350 2024 built in TMMC, and few months later I've noticed a condensation issue with the left side rear light, Is anyone heard about this problem ?
while TMMC might be true in quality. I really do hope the up coming TX series would be up to par to Lexus motto. While most Toyota product is built in US. Really hope that TX and ES don't drop the ball.
would you say that all car companies in Japan follow the same principles of quality? Honda, and Subaru come to mind.
Mazda, too.
@@dtna Yup, Mazda too!!!
David, thank you for explaining this as I am sure many people had voiced their concerns. As long as all operations/plants abide by Toyota’s TPS Standards then I would agree the long-term durability and reliability would be equal. But I and I am sure others would have a reinsuring feeling when everything (fit and finish) is to a higher standard. For example, when purchasing Japanese products, the packaging is at a higher level…more so than probably needed but you will have a feeling that they cared to present it at a high level. For those you want to know about Toyota’s Production System, then I would suggest reading the book ‘The Toyota Way - Second Edition’ by Jeffrey K. Liker, PhD.
Maybe they just care more over there lol. We don’t care in North America. I’m Canadian and I work in the states as a welding engineering technologist for a tier 1 automotive supplier. even if the parts don’t pass customer specs. They ship that shit lol. It’s quite sad but we build for ford and GM so I don’t bother buying those. I always check weld quality on the vehicles I buy lol. I’m probably gonna buy a tundra next after I sell my IS350
My 21 4runner had engine replaced twice before 8k miles... All japanese.
Why? What happened to it?
@@golferpro1241 the first one was porous and leaking oil from new. The second one had the piston rings aligned and damaged the block.
Japan made is best!
Makes you wonder...Why doesn't the Canadian plant "fix" the fit and finish so it's as tight as Japan's specs. The answer is in the people's work ethic and discipline.
Do you consider Mexico part of north America?
Yes they do. Tacomas are made there. Stouts will be made there, too. 😢
Perhaps those Toyota that are made in North America are better than those made in Thailand
Mexico built Tacoma is horrendous for paint quality and panel gaps! Most definitely will not buy another Mexico build!
Good ❤
Mine was made in CANADA 6/17 corolla
How about the cars/ SUV’s coming out of China now ? I see that Lincoln is now producing vehicles there such as NAUTILUS ….Based on videos the exterior looks really nice and the interior looks incredible. But why China ?
No way in HELL my Tacoma made in Mexico is at the same level of the numerous cars I’ve purchased that were made in Japan.
I purchased a 2023 RX350 - but after 6 months I think this car does not worth buying for several reasons 1-Lexus does not offer V6 anymore - the new engine is powerful on paper but in real life, it gives you the feeling that the car is too heavy to move and act too slow for acceleration. 2-gas consumption is really high compared to the V6 engine 3-Transmission of this car is not smooth and you can feel when it changes the gears. it is not calibrated properly 4-since they use an electrical shift gear the process of changing gear from drive to reverse or vice versa is too slow 2sec!! overall quality of the cabin is not bad but it is not perfect. I think with this amount of price other options are a better choice such as Acura or others
What Toyota has going for it is engineering…they don’t have the prettiest engines but have generally been very reliable. Their hybrid systems are among the best and they’re probably the only manufacturer currently offering both direct and port fuel injection. What they do lack is material quality…they suffer from the same fate as Ford, in being too big and too sensitive to investor interests. Toyota has some of the cheapest interior materials in the market. However, they’ve gotten smarter in designing more appealing interiors to detract your eyes from the same cheap materials.😆🤪 Sadly, Honda’s not far behind (but their current lineup has definitely improved). Thank goodness Mazda is still in business (and was smart enough to divorce from Ford 🤪). 😊👍
BS. I worked @TMMC 25+yrs, and the quality difference is obvious.
😮😮😮
I have seen the quality of Mexico.. I would trust just as equal as Japan.. People become boss of there work . Own their job. That says a lot of their job commitment to quality work.
I'm sure that Toyota would ensure top quality at ever single one of their plants. That said, given the choice, I'd put my personal funds in a Japanese built car first.
At least the RX is built in a dedicated Lexus plant. Its the NX I'm worried about. Lexus built with the speed and mindset of a Carolla is not good. All quality can and does get sacrificed for production numbers.
Lovely great good car ❤❤❤😂
The new RX just doesn’t do it for me. It looks so bad. Not like the previous gen, which was pure genius!
Japanese people are more hard worker i think
Lexus RX canada it is replica