68 Facts About Lexus

Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota.

The Lexus brand is marketed in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide and is Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars.

Lexus did not exist as a brand in its home market until 2005, and all vehicles marketed internationally as Lexus from 1989 to 2005 were released in Japan under the Toyota marque and an equivalent model name.

Lexus launched its own F marque performance division in 2007 with the debut of the IS F sport sedan, followed by the LFA supercar in 2009.

Lexus vehicles are largely produced in Japan, with manufacturing centered in the Chubu and Kyushu regions, and in particular at Toyota's Tahara, Aichi, Chubu and Miyata, Fukuoka, Kyushu plants.

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Since the 2000s, Lexus has increased sales outside its largest market, the United States.

Lexus brand was created around the same time as Japanese rivals Nissan and Honda developed their Infiniti and Acura premium brands.

The launch of Lexus was accompanied by a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign.

Lexus quickly established customer loyalty and its debut was generally regarded as a shock to existing luxury marques.

BMW's and Mercedes-Benz's U S sales figures dropped 29 percent and 19 percent, respectively, with BMW executives accusing Lexus of dumping in that market, while 35 percent of Lexus buyers traded in a Lincoln or Cadillac.

That year, Lexus began limited exports to the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada and Australia.

In 1991, Lexus launched its first sports coupe, the SC 400, which shared the LS 400s V8 engine and rear-wheel drive design.

That year, Lexus ranked highest in J D Power and Associates' studies on initial vehicle quality, customer satisfaction and sales satisfaction for the first time.

In 1993, Lexus launched the mid-size GS 300 sports sedan, based on the Toyota Aristo using the Toyota "S" platform from the Toyota Crown, which had sold for two years prior in Japan.

That same year, Lexus became one of the first marques to debut a certified pre-owned program, with the aim of improving trade-in model values.

In 1996, Lexus debuted its first sport utility vehicle, the LX 450, followed by the third generation ES 300 sedan, and the second generation GS 300 and GS 400 sedans in 1997.

Lexus added the first luxury-branded crossover SUV, the RX 300 in 1998.

Lexus recorded its 1 millionth vehicle sold in the U S market, being ranked as the top-selling premium car maker in the U S overall.

In July 2000, Lexus introduced the IS 300 in North America, following global launch in 1999 and the third generation LS 430.

The following year, Lexus recorded its 2 millionth U S vehicle sale, and the first luxury-branded production hybrid SUV, the RX 400h.

In 2005, Lexus completed an organizational separation from parent company Toyota, with dedicated design, engineering, training, and manufacturing centers working exclusively for the division.

Lexus models sold in Japan featured higher specifications and a price premium compared with their discontinued Toyota counterparts.

In 2006, Lexus began sales of the GS 450h, a V6 hybrid performance sedan, and launched the fourth generation LS line, comprising both standard- and long-wheelbase V8 and hybrid versions.

In January 2007, Lexus announced a new F marque performance division, which would produce racing-inspired versions of its performance models.

In October 2007, Lexus entered the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in the U S for the first time with the IS F, and announced its F-Sport performance trim level and factory-sanctioned accessory line.

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Models such as the SC 400 and GS 400 had received favorable reactions from sport luxury buyers, most Lexus models had been characterized as favoring comfort over sporty road feel and handling, compared with European rivals.

In late 2009, citing higher sales of hybrid models over their petrol counterparts, Lexus announced plans to become a hybrid-only marque in Europe.

In 2010, Lexus underwent a gradual sales recovery in North America and Asia as the marque focused on adding hybrids and new model derivatives.

In late 2010 and early 2011, Lexus began sales of the CT 200h, a compact four-door hybrid hatchback designed for Europe, in multiple markets.

Lexus admitted the move was in response to a probe foreshadowed earlier in the month by China's National Development and Reform Commission of Lexus spare parts policies, as part of an industry-wide investigation into what the Chinese regulator considers exorbitantly high prices being charged by automakers for spare parts and after-sales servicing.

In March 2016, Lexus announced that it will be producing a new flagship vehicle: the two-door LC 500.

In October 2019, Lexus announced that it will be launching the brand's first all-battery electric vehicle in 2020.

In Europe, Lexus operations are managed by Lexus Europe, located in Brussels.

Several markets have a designated, third party regional distributor; for example, in the United Arab Emirates, sales operations are managed by Al-Futtaim Motors LLC, and in Costa Rica, Lexus vehicles are sold via regional distributor Purdy Motors S A Other officially sanctioned regional distributors have sold Lexus models prior to the launch of, or in absence of, a dedicated dealership network.

Lexus brand launched in the Indian market in 2017, with the models RX450h, LX450d, LX570, ES300h, NX, LS.

Lexus has not sold as well in Europe, where it suffers from smaller brand recognition, image, and a less-developed dealership network.

In European markets, the Lexus LS has ranked behind Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW in flagship luxury car sales.

In contrast, the Lexus LS has ranked second in sales to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in markets outside Europe, such as South Africa.

The RX midsized crossover is Lexus's best selling model in the United States, while the ES mid-sized car is the most popular sedan in the line-up.

However, automotive analysts estimate that the Lexus division contributes a disproportionate share of Toyota's profits, relative to its limited production and sales volume.

Interviews with retired division officials indicate that depending on sales volume, vehicle product development cycles, and exchange rates, Lexus sales have accounted for as much as half of Toyota's annual U S profit in certain years.

In 2006, Lexus entered Interbrand's list of the Top 100 Global Brands for the first time, with an estimated brand value of approximately $3 billion annually.

Lexus produces its highest-performance models under its F marque division.

Lexus design has traditionally placed an emphasis on targeting specific vehicle development standards.

In 1989, Lexus became among the first premium car marques to equip models with premium audio systems, in partnership with stereo firm Nakamichi.

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In 2006, Lexus incorporated the first production eight-speed automatic transmission in an automobile with the LS 460, and the gearbox was later adapted for the GS 460 and IS F models.

In 2007, Lexus executives signaled intentions to equip further models with hybrid powertrains, catering to demands for a decrease in both carbon pollution and oil reliance.

In 2007, Lexus introduced the first car safety systems with infrared and pedestrian detection capabilities, lane keep assist, a Driver Monitoring System with facial recognition monitoring of driver attentiveness, and rear pre-collision whiplash protection, as part of the LS 460 PCS.

Lexus officials have discussed standard production model usage of varying platforms.

The LS uses a dedicated platform, while the entry-level Lexus ES had been criticized for being too similar to the Toyota Camry, with which it shared platforms until its sixth generation, in both styling and powertrain design.

Lexus introduced a new design language known as "L-finesse" in the mid-2000s with its LF series concepts and the 2006 Lexus GS.

In 2012, the arrival of the redesigned fourth generation Lexus GS featured the introduction of a spindle-shaped grille design, intended to be used on all forthcoming Lexus models.

In late 2015, Lexus started to assemble North American-spec ES 350 sedans at the Georgetown plant .

Relative to Toyota models, Lexus vehicles are built according to different quality control standards, including more stringent body panel fit tolerances and paint quality requirements.

Lexus has become known for efforts to provide an upscale image, particularly with service provided after the sale.

In 2005, Lexus began reserving parking lots at major sporting arenas, entertainment events, and shopping malls, with the only requirement for free entry being the ownership of a Lexus vehicle.

Lexus first entered the motorsport arena in 1999 when its racing unit, Team Lexus, fielded two GS 400 race vehicles in the Motorola Cup North American Street Stock Championship touring car series.

Team Lexus won its first IS 300 victory that year at the Virginia International Raceway.

In 2006, Lexus raced a hybrid vehicle for the first time, entering a GS 450h performance hybrid sedan in partnership with Sigma Advanced Racing Development at the 24 Hours of Tokachi race in Hokkaido, Japan.

Lexus Canada entered the GS 450h in 2007's Targa Newfoundland event.

In 2007, six Lexus-powered Daytona prototypes were entered in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona event at the Daytona International Speedway.

Lexus finished in 8th in their first season in 2017 in the GT Daytona Manufacturer's Championship.

From its inception, Lexus has been advertised to luxury consumers using specific marketing strategies, with a consistent motif used for the marque's advertisements.

European rivals have marketed their decades of heritage and pedigree, whereas Lexus' reputation rests primarily upon its perceived quality and shared history with parent company Toyota.

Several analysts have stated that Lexus will have to develop its own heritage over time by highlighting technological innovations and producing substantial products.

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Lexus has organized an annual Champions for Charity golf series in the U S since 1989.

Lexus unveiled its new "Experience Amazing" tagline in the U S in a 60-second advertisement at the February 2017 Super Bowl LI.

On 30 March 2018, Lexus premiered a fake partnership with 23 and Me during a spot on Saturday Night Live, for a pretend program that allows buyers to customize vehicles based on their DNA, as an April Fool's Day joke.