FIRST EVER TOYOTA TAHARA EMPLOYEE CAFETERIA! - HAVING LUNCH WITH TAHARA MEMBERS

This is the very first time that media was invited to have lunch at the Toyota Tahara employee cafeteria! David was very excited to have this opportunity where he went through the entire process of having lunch at the employee cafeteria as if he worked there... selecting the food, lining up, picking up food, eating then cleaning up! This is an exclusive look at what's it like to work at the legendary Toyota Tahara plant, where most Lexus vehicles (Lexus LS, RC, NX, LM, IS, GX) and some Toyota vehicles (Land Cruiser, 4Runner) are produced.
But David also had chance to ask questions and just chat casually with the members of Lexus Tahara team.
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.

[@ronn5592]

David. Well deserved honor. Enjoy your Lexus plant tour and Japanese culture. Thanks for sharing

[@GEE819]

Thanks again for the wonderful insight in to the Lexus plant. I can definitely see the perfection and attention to detail of Lexus cars. We have a lot to learn from the Japanese people I think .

[@BaconCruiser]

Thank you David, and Tahara personnel, for this fun peak behind the scenes. I love my Lexus GX and my Toyota Land Cruiser, I really appreciate the professionalism and pride that went into the production of these vehicles!

[@DLewis-pc2op]

Thank you so much. What a treat!!

[@ScottyJH]

Can’t get enough of these Tahara videos, please keep up the great work David!

[@hrufhduehveugrhhty2024]

It's an honor to see Toyota Employees and their visions. Thank you.

[@reludennis]

Thank you David and Toyota and Employees for this nice tour of the factory. I am amazed how clean that factory is. Thank you everyone for making this best quality cars in the world . Toyota is the brand i trust the most out of all the products on the planet and i recommend it to anyone. Great work !

[@bubba4072]

This was pretty cool, David! Thanks for sharing your lunch experience with us.

[@Rightonrightoff]

Wait, his name actually is David? I thought it was just a nickname he gave himself as a result of Japanese and Korean’s incessant cultural need to appease the Anglo American world in all aspects. Interesting. Anyhow, it is indeed an interesting video.

[@jcheysel1]

Interesting the age and fitness of supervisors and general employees compared to US vehicle manufacturing staff. These folks take pride to the next level.

[@オルフェーヴルの夫]

Because there's no such thing as "body positivity" in Japan, you will be make fun of if you're a land whale, so you have the motivation to work on yourself and become fit, not like murrica where people are too scared of "being mean".

[@utubetjc]

Thanks for sharing this with us David. What a great experience!

[@kylelewis8824]

Thank you for the tour and meeting with the quality control team Amazing plant The quality and emotion is what makes these cars great I wouldn't ever buy an American car

[@Miroslaw-rs8ip]

Dave, I’m an Industrial Engineer and am amazed from the efficiency of the workers and even the cafeteria staff and organization. This is why Japanese workers are the best! In Canada I’ve never seen such efficiency and effort. This is why I own a GX460 model 2023 👍

[@WilliamGelmi]

Just Amazing. Toyota/Lexus number 1

[@alabama2uz]

I have two from that plant. Best vehicles you can buy. Thank you for the tour!

[@pedrofernandez8729]

I would have liked to hear your actual interview with the subtitles underneath. I love Japanese culture and one of my wishes is coming thru this month, my son and I are visiting your wonderful country, this is something we've wanted to do for my whole life and I am blessed that I get to do it before my time on earth expires.

[@オルフェーヴルの夫]

When you come, please don't bring your culture and style of life with you and destroy theirs. Don't come into their country and demand the same bullshit in your country

[@daved7024]

David, I fully understand the need to eat quickly I had to do it for years as we only got 30 min to eat. Thank you so much for the Tahara factory tour. God bless 🙏

[@FullTimeGT]

Thank you bringing to us the heart of Japanese culture. We have so much to learn. Respect.

[@larrypool8541]

Thank you for sharing! My 2024 NX350h was manufactured in Japan and maybe one of these individuals signed off on my car! I have been a loyal Toyota/Lexus consumer throughout the years and love the quality of these cars.

[@Passions]

How? I thought all NX's were made in Canada?

[@larrypool8541]

@@Passions IDK! Good question for David. I went back and looked at my window sticker and my 2024 NX 350h came from MIYAWAKA, FUKUOKA, JAPAN, so maybe not the TAHARA facility. If you look on the Lexus website at what is available, it appears the 2024 hybrid models are made in Japan and the 2025 hybrid models are made in Canada. When I ordered mine in Feb 2024, all the hybrids were coming from Japan.

[@superalain1961]

Thank You all employees for building great cars !!! I am a proud owner of 2 Lexus, and always had Toyota products 👍🏻

[@dealman3312]

Wonderful video. Made me smile 😊 Btw there is a 40 year old bizarro Dave who works at Pfaff Porsche in Toronto

[@terrydowning3796]

That’s very cool! These guys make the difference. Love every Lexus I’ve owned. There pursuit for perfection is unmatched.

[@Raptor2912]

Thank you so much David for this fantastic video! Great look inside the Tahara plant and there lunch room! Letś hope Lexus will grow worldwide year after year to become a truely international brand. proud IS 300h F-Sport driver since 8 years. Greetings to you David!

[@schayangger]

I’m loving all these Tahara videos!! Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@EM.1.]

Good job Dave, I hope to have a Lexus one day and visit the plant.

[@pedrofernandez8729]

So young and yet excellent workers, trusted to work at such an important plant for Toyota. This is why I only buy Japanese made Toyota cars.

[@Marks.Reviews]

Looking forward to seeing your video on the Land Cruiser 250 at this factory.

[@rajuyr]

I felt as if I am in the Plant. Thank you for your effort and courtesy David san! 🙏 it brought back my memories from EPSON plant at Matsumoto.

[@555atU]

These Tahara Plant videos are a treat. Thank you!

[@agsp4785]

Thats the reason I am a die hard Lexus Fan/owner..... 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Sam9wilson9]

So cool! ❤

[@arashefi]

I noticed everything is perfect in Tahara Factory! 🇯🇵❤️

[@jpdoc5722]

nice 👍 👍 thank you 🙏 for allowing us to ( virtually)experience this

[@elizabethwhite4606]

David, such a fabulous location to have lunch with those wonderful highly esteemed employees in the Tahara plant employee cafeteria.

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you Elizabeth!

[@raycordero01]

OMG MR. DAVID!!!! THAT WAS AN AWESOME VIDEO!!! And yes!!! I think you are the ONLY KZbinr that have had the PRIVILEGE to eat for the AMAZING TAKUMIS and WORKERS of Lexus!!!! As a BIG FAN of LEXUS FOR MANY YEARS, specially of the LFA, from my family members that all have Toyotas, and from me as a owner of a 2024 LEXUS IS 500 F SPORT PERFORMANCE PREMIUM (Manufacturered in Tahara Plant in Feb. 2024 and received in March 16, 2024), TELL THEM: ARIGATO GOZAIMASU!!!!!!!! ARIGATO GOZAIMASU TO YOU MR. DAVID AND YOUR CAMERA CREW FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION!!!!! I’m going to share these videos of the Tahara Plant in Facebook in all the Lexus Groups that I belong!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much! I had fun eating lunch there!

[@Weatherby406]

I would really like to see how Toyota tests an engine/ powertrain. Like the new 2.4 for the tacoma and 4runner. Think it would help people’s confidence in the new powertrain allot.

[@telmenluvsandorj3217]

Customers will test it for them.

[@marcodarko6941]

As well as shoulder all the hardships that go along with it. ​@@telmenluvsandorj3217

[@raidenb4512]

I love your Vlogs into Japanese Factory. Great content David !

[@DRBG444]

This IS so cool! Thanks for sharing so much, David!

[@AutomotivePress]

Glad you liked it!

[@kiyomi_3220]

One of my favorite 'comfort foods' is Tonkatsu, and gyoza too. Oh to visit Japan again just to eat all that delicious food. Thank you for sharing!

[@sam9482]

More food reviews from David please 🙏

[@Peter-Alexander]

Fantastic, very special. I believe this is what they call takumi if I am not mistaken.

[@jonharry6293]

I have a Lexus is 250 convertible and a Toyota Rav 4 both cars are fantastic the build quality is excellent I love Japan

[@rajeshmaharaj637]

David! You are my Guru!

[@gangpw924]

Thank you for building the most reliable car for us

[@CJ-rk5eg]

Please do a video about the major recall of the tundta v6 twin turbo engine

[@davidlowe4093]

I've seen that the workers need years of experience to work at Tahara. I have a 02 RX300 with 138K that I just don't want to sell. BUT I've been looking at the RC's, IS's and my dream car LC! Really enjoy your videos!

[@kewl820607]

Amazing video thanks

[@MR3DDev]

oh lord. The lunch room for regular workers in Tahara look like VIP rooms in the US 🤣

[@WilliamGelmi]

As a former auto mechanic. Toyota/Lexus are no doubt the world most reliable vehicles. And a pleasure to work on.

[@MGMidget73]

Not the new Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia and their Lexus stablemates. As a 07 Tundra owner I wouldn't touch the new one.

[@zahf6484]

A lot is changing….

[@chan-brown]

@@MGMidget73well, that’s obvious… these new V35 engines and platforms are manufactured in other plants in the USA where QC has no meaning to American workers. I get it, Toyota is a reliable brand I’ll probably never defect from, but let’s be real, we can’t just assume it’s an all or nothing. I still trust anything that rolls off the TAHARA plant but I wouldn’t trust anything that comes out of the Kentucky or Indiana plant lol.

[@marcodarko6941]

Not so much anymore. It seems the brand like everything else in this world it is taking the self sabotage route. As a once Toyota/Lexus loyalist.

[@thewholeeventhorizon]

* were

[@hawkeshots]

thank you for the insight! Arigato!

[@thestig1899]

Only in Japan Food looks amazing I’d go for the Katsu, Curry or Ramen, so much to choose

[@user-zh9kc7tw4n]

The quality and technology of the new Lexus is second to none.

[@marcodarko6941]

How is that turbo v6 looking..

[@leofong5362]

Love Lexus!

[@JoBiatch]

I was at the Tajara plant in Mexico where they build the Taco and I ate a chimneychanga and horchata. The workers there don’t give two 💩💩 if the buyers are happy or not, cus they get paid two dollars a day.

[@navaho5430]

Very orderly well-done Toyota, love my ISF Cheers from OZ.

[@MRNagiii]

Take me to the 4Runner assembly line please, I want to see how my favorite truck was built

[@rightlanehog3151]

David, It all looks delicious. 😋Do they serve Canada Dry ginger ale in the Tahara cafeteria to help wash it all down? 🤔

[@AutomotivePress]

Ha ha I think they actually do serve ginger ale ...

[@rightlanehog3151]

@@AutomotivePress 😉

[@thestig1899]

My 4Runner is the Best Vehicle I have owned for Quality. Motor and Transmission are smooth. No interior noises. Only complaint is the dated Navigation, which I will update.

[@jetman1979]

One day I will own Lexus but until then I will enjoy my outstanding 2024 4Runner SR5 premium.

[@kevin-jm3qb]

Love your videos buddy

[@belfastconor8521]

I have T4R built at Tahara with 356k miles on original power train that still operates perfectly.

[@davidhouston7812]

Hello, David this is David. I did not see you Stop, look, and point at the intersection. 😂 Safety first I work at TMMK

[@AutomotivePress]

Ha ha yes you're right! I did miss that but I was just following the Lexus employees who let me just walk right behind them...

[@davidhouston7812]

@@AutomotivePress😆 😂 I know I know just teasing you. I wish I could go visit that factory. Maybe one day before I retire Can't wait to get my Land Cruiser First Edition. 6/17 I'm hoping

[@johnwakamatsu3391]

The plant looks very modern and extremely clean compared to what I see in the US. I have been to Japan with my Japanese wife and the country is so much cleaner then US cities. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and Los Angeles looks very dirty compared to Japanese cities. My father worked for Ford and my brother worked for GM, but I worked as a chemist for a government utility. I was never issued a company uniform and worked with Japanese company workers which had company uniforms. The Japanese workers were surprised that my company did not have company uniforms. My company headquarters building had a very good cafeteria and the building was very modern.

[@johnwakamatsu3391]

I forgot to say that our family has owned three Lexus cars and one Toyota car. I thinking about buying a Lexus for my wife to replace her Infiniti car and think that Lexus is better than Infiniti, but we have owned three Infiniti cars. I drive Alfa Romeo cars and have been driving Alfas since 1968.

[@johndiaz7240]

Great experience for you . David can you please in another episode talk about the recall of the Tundra twin turbo six cylinder , how will this affect sales. Thanks

[@AutomotivePress]

Let me work on that...

[@jeremy9161]

David, I’d like to hear your input on the next generation ES300h.

[@michaelclayton5435]

David, thanks for the inside look and interaction with the Tahara factory workers - that was very insightful. Do you have any thoughts about Toyota quality and reliability considering the over 100,000 vehicle engine recall?

[@AutomotivePress]

Let me work on a video to explain...

[@FeLiX13sLaVe]

Now I'm hungry for katsu 🤤

[@JoyceChornyak]

Thank you, David. We bought a 2022 Tundra largely based on Toyota's reputation and your assurance that one should not worry about the first couple years of a brand new engine design. You impressed us as knowledgeable and trustworthy. We still believe that to be true but we are just sick of the recent news about Toyota's recall. Any information or advice you could give us would be greatly appreciated. Chiefly, are we risking the safety of our family and friends by continuing to drive this vehicle at highway speeds? Are there warning signs of imminent engine failure? Is there anything we can do to advert the breakdown? Thank you, David.

[@joshua3196]

Please include interactions in Japanese or post second video with the original Japanese. Thank you

[@AutomotivePress]

Hi Can you let me know why you would like to hear the Japanese? 99.9% of my viewers don't speak any Japanese and they would be very frustrated if they have to watch the lengthy Japanese section. I understand that some of you who might speak Japanese may want to hear the interview in Japanese, but I am completely bilingual and therefore I would not make an error during interpretation of the Japanese to English translation (I am a professional interpreter).

[@joshua3196]

@@AutomotivePress When interviewing engineers, it's fun to hear their passion for particular decisions. Hearing the interviewees directly really allows their personalities to come through. I trust you do an incredible job interpreting, but I imagine from the duration of the Q&A, that you are summarizing rather than interpreting. I agree nonJapanese speakers could find lengthened videos much. I see many videos where Japanese designers, engineers and executives are interviewed in English. A unique aspect of your work is being able to interview in their native Japanese. May I suggest an additional video that includes the unedited interviews? Appreciate your work, perspective and professionalism!

[@ahmadtarik5977]

Hi David, Thank you for the information. It would be great if you could explain the real issue behind the engine failures in Toyota and Lexus V6 turbo vehicles, including the Tundra, Land Cruiser 300 series, and Lexus models. On May 30, Toyota recalled 102,000 vehicles due to debris left in the engine. My questions are: 1. Why is this issue occurring in vehicles made both in Japan and the USA? 2. Although Toyota recalled the 2022-2023 models, why is the issue also present in the 2024 models?

[@wolframluchner5316]

A friend of mine owns a ‘23 LC 500 from this factory. The door panel and dash on the passenger side are misaligned by about half an inch. Not quite as “above and beyond” as you describe the TAHARA quality control 😂

[@Ricky_H]

昔いた、今は亡き東富士工場を思い出します。　モノづくりはteam effortですね。　しかし…ランチ安っ！

[@jordez1]

I wish the Baja California Toyota Assembly Plant will look like that. 😢

[@jonharry6293]

Can you imagine this in dump UK? lol 😂

[@jingleflagtv8599]

While on lunch with the lexus folk. Tell them my 24 underground 4 runner limited, is making a very noticible wind tunnel noise from passenger at speeds 105 and up. Also the driver knob has terrible resistance and wasn't put propper together. The resistance shouldn't be there. Vehicle has 8k on it.

[@mactownsend2890]

David, do Japanese auto workers have the equivalent of working under the protection of a union? Or not as necessary because Japanese companies are actually fair to their workers?

[@AutomotivePress]

In Japan, the unions are collaborative and work closely with the company - they are not really a separate unit like in the rest of the world.

[@qtdcanada]

Generally, Japanese companies & workers want to work cooperatively to create a win-win situation (good wages & benefits and standards of living for the workers, and good reliable products commanding good profit margins for the companies), quite similar to the case in Germany. American & British manufacturers tend to believe in zero-sum philosophy, and in many cases regard workers' wages & benefits to be a cost that needs to be controlled & cut, regardless of low workforce morale & indifferences to final product qualities.

[@yo2trader539]

It's a little different from other countries. In Japan, each major company will have its own union. So Toyota has its own union (トヨタ自動車労働組合), which closely works with the "Federation of All Toyota Workers' Unions" (全トヨタ労連), Toyota Group includes subsidiaries such as Aisin, Denso, Jtekt, Toyota Industries...and the group union has 320,000 workers. But latest figures in Japan indicates only about 16% are members of unions. Union members in Japan don't receive special privileges over non-union members. Once you're promoted to a managerial positions, it's customary to not be part of the union. In other words, many people serving in Japanese corporate senior management were once union members when they first started in the company. Thus, they know what is realistic and what is unrealistic. And Japanese corporate unions don't care about politics as much. (It's usually unions in public jobs and school teachers that are left-leaning and go crazy with national political affairs, everything from tax policy to energy policy, to national security.) Japanese Corporate unions are far more realistic and interested in the welfare, career, and compensation of their employees. Management doesn't hide anything from the union members, as the employees know far more about the realities of the company than people in corporate HQ. It's mostly why Japanese corporate management and unions have good open discussions. Toyota's CEO will always sit down directly with Toyota's union and negotiate/explain what's possible and what's not possible. It's almost obligatory to do so for senior management of any major company in Japan. US and European industry unions are a little different. They have strong national political agenda, and they don't care whether individual companies goes bankrupt or not. They don't care if strikes lead to loss of revenue, profits, bonuses, and eventually employment.

[@survivordan2187]

David, come tour TMMWV…home of A25A, T24, @ 5th gen.hybrid transaxle. Maybe they would allow to present my kaizen for timing T24 engine. 👍

[@AutomotivePress]

I would love to see your plant! Please invite me!

[@survivordan2187]

I’ll see what I can do. 👍

[@JoBiatch]

I’m surprised your thumbnail didn’t say Engineer Ate Lunch At Toyota Tahara Employee Cafeteria

[@AutomotivePress]

Ha ha I should change my title right?

[@JoBiatch]

@@AutomotivePress Haha next time!

[@Wxman9123]

If it feels like the lunch is running long just bring up the Tundra.

[@BulakDek]

Can we hear your ' Engineer' view pn the Tundra 3.3 engine recall and screw up? Also why is Toyota not recalling the same engine in Land Cruiser LC300? You need to prove you are not on Toyota payroll😮

[@thonvuth809]

❤❤❤

[@RT3319]

As a rabid Toyota fan and owner (currently: 2023 Tacoma and 4 Runner), I have so much appreciated David's analysis of vehicles. However, I now anxiously await his commentary/analysis of Toyota's engine debacle with the Tundra and Lexus. Just makes ya wanna rush right out and purchase one of the new turbo vehicles (Tacoma, 4-Runner, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, etc.) huh..? I'm also anxious to see how far David is willing to go in his analysis... Can he be objective, what is the balance of his objectivity with Toyota and his fan base? Could be a difficult moment of truth for him as he walks a tightrope between us, the consumer, and Toyota... We anxiously await his words of wisdom.... "The truth will out".....

[@AutomotivePress]

I plan to do a livestream tomorrow to talk about this and other things.... stay tuned

[@RT3319]

@@AutomotivePress Thank you, David.. Looking forward to it.. All the best from Washington State :)

[@prtube1]

Excellent video and one more reason not to believe that some of these Lexus that are included in the recall are left with metal shavings in the engine. Lame excuse. Needs to be said.

[@michaelvella8511]

Is it free for all the employees???

[@AutomotivePress]

No you have to pay, but it's really really cheap... just a few dollars for a meal

[@Larry-Hi]

Love your reviews David, but cut back on the carbs and sugar.

[@AutomotivePress]

I never thought I will get a health recommendation from a viewer....

[@qtdcanada]

JPN car manufacturers subsidize their workers' meals. It is also not uncommon to see executives having lunch at the same table as workers. USA car manufacturers to their workers: your wages & benefits are a burden to our shareholders; if we subsidize your meals we have to cut 10% of the workforce.

[@MGMidget73]

Well David, Tundra owners screwed over, myself and other older Tundra owners warned people to stay away from the new one. A lot of them niw are being dumped by their regretful owners. They are an embarrassing creation from Toyota.

[@ardentabacistx5360]

Why is the sign in ENGLISH? That is weird!

[@peterseinfeld]

Now these are the people you want building your Toyota/Lexus. Not some American or Mexican.

[@tokyojoe7163]

Anyway, you talk a lot. It's clearly different from the Japanese car channels that prefer a relaxed feel with food cuts, reviews, and interviews with employees.

[@marcodarko6941]

As a loyalist once I am deeply saddened by the direction it seems the Toyota/Lexus brand is going these days. I was a pro American domestic brand loyalist, GM more specifically up until about 20 years ago.. then I discovered Toyota. And to keep it short here I really noticed the drastic changes in quality between say the 2016 Highlander and a brand new 2023 on the showroom floor last year.. I am noticing it more and more across all of models.. it seems to be a self sabotage like every other well established brand across the world. It is very disheartening to see as we also have 2023 Tundra here in the household that I am deeply concerned about its reliability in the future. Please get it together Toyota and stop letting short sighted governments whip your company around.

[@thunderc4s]

Lunch should be free based on billions profit Toyota makes.

[@MrYosssup]

Kindly tell them to fix those crappy engines they put on Tundra, Tacomas (and probably Lexus LX and GX models too…) in the last couple of years. They are turning into the Chevrolet of Japan.

[@jimmyamico4713]

Hi David, Please say hi to the Takumi craftsman that manufactured my 2021 LX 570 luxury edition …🇯🇵🤍❤️ please thank them for making the most beautiful vehicle I have ever owned in my lifetime and probably ever will. I am so excited every time I step into my vehicle and drive it to a particular destination…. Thank you, thank you thank you Takumi craftsman for being the best car manufacturer quality control specialist in the world.🇯🇵🌎🇺🇸🇨🇦🇮🇹🇩🇪⭐️✈️🙏👍💜☮️✝️

[@AutomotivePress]

Thank you so much Jimmy! You have a great vehicle as the LX is one of the best SUVs in the world

[@alaingarcia4756]

Meanwhile in the Ford break room chaos and fights break out because workers serve the union 🫠

[@jimmyamico4713]

Hi David, Please say hi to the Takumi craftsman that manufactured my 2021 LX 570 luxury edition …🇯🇵🤍❤️

[@ardentabacistx5360]

OMG! WOW! This is AMAZING! What a wonderful opportunity! Happy for you! ~