Lexus Continues to Perfect Production Process
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Lexus employs one of the most detailed and calculated vehicle production processes in the world.
If this car maker wants to be the best, then it has to compete and stand out. After all, iconic brands like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi haven’t remained at the top of the class by accident. To maintain the level of excellence these brands have achieved, it takes expert skill, precision, and craftsmanship.
Lexus goes one step beyond what’s necessary. The reliability of a Lexus engine is the result of a painstakingly rigorous process that each and every single engine is subjected to.
The process begins with master craftspeople who have been thoroughly trained and educated to constantly improve upon their individual skills.
Takumi are known as Lexus Technical Experts who mentor other members of their team through individualized training programs. With a great deal of skill and guidance, these team members can become takumi.
Lexus Technical Experts are responsible for maintaining assembly line order through the development of standardized procedures.
Trained technicians test each engine by placing it on an Assembly Balancer. Lexus technicians are so concerned with the performance of their engines, that stethoscopes are used to make sure that each one runs smoothly.
Of course, in a noisy production plant it can be difficult to hear much of anything, so the car maker has developed the “Clean and Silent” initiative. Instead of a chain-driven production line, Lexus has employed a friction-driven conveyance system. This system reduces noise levels, allowing technicians to hear anything that needs fixing in the process, while creating a more relaxed atmosphere.
The engine machine testers have an entirely different job at Lexus. These technicians are trained to know the difference between the front and back of a sheet of piece of paper with their eyes closed – and for good reason. Feeling for any imperfections, each meticulously trained fingertip checks every engine part before assembly.
Before technicians begin their handiwork of personally checking each engine part, every piece of equipment is kept in a clean room away from airborne particles that could find their way into the engine. The workers that are charged with this task are given “air showers” upon entering the room and engine parts are then funneled through several high powered vacuums before installation.
A Lexus engine is not just any engine. It’s been chosen for quality at the liquid metal stage by a takumi. This process helps ensure that the molten metal used to form the engine parts is strong, containing very few gases. It’s then subjected to electromagnetic interference and extreme temperatures to test the performance of the engine’s electronic systems.
Due to extreme care and what may seem to be an overly fanatical production process, Lexus’ vehicles consistently rank as some of the highest in quality, craftsmanship, and reliability.
Visit Lexus of Highland Park and find award-winning luxury vehicles with style, dependability, and performance to match.
