Next-Gen Lexus EV to Launch in China with Gigacasting Tech

Lexus prepares to launch its next‑generation electric crossover in China, leveraging Tesla‑developed gigacasting technology to cut weight and boost range.

The model, slated for production in fall 2027 at a new Shanghai plant, will combine multiple aluminum body parts into a single large piece, according to Nikkei Asia.

While Toyota typically reserves advanced manufacturing for Japan and the US, this Chinese‑only project is a rare exception aimed at expanding Lexus’s foothold in the world’s largest EV market.

China sales have lagged behind the US; in 2025 Lexus moved only 182,458 units there versus 370,260 in America, prompting the company to target “tens of thousands” of annual output from the new line.

The first year’s target is roughly 1,000 units per month, reflecting a cautious ramp‑up for a model that could become a cornerstone of Lexus’s electric strategy.

With the upcoming crossover, Lexus hopes to capitalize on the growing demand for electric SUVs in China, where the brand already offers models such as the NX, RX, GX, LX, ES, LS, LM and the RZ electric sedan.