Toyota Motor Company under the Lexus brand produces luxury cars. Initially, they were intended for sale in the United States. However, they are currently shipped to many countries around the world. Headquartered in Nagoya, Japan.
Name history
Users of these prestigious cars claim that the word does not have any meaning, but is simply a symbol of a luxury car. However, the creators claim that the name is associated with the name Alexis. He was considered as an option for the name of a new line of cars from Toyota. The prototype was the hero of the famous series "Dynasty" Alexis Carrington. But this name did not completely pass, it was slightly transformed, becoming - "Lexus" (Lexus).
Setting goals, researching prospective sales markets
In 1983, Toyota management set a goal - to create the best car in the world in the executive class category. There was a demand for premium cars during this period, especially in the United States of America. By that time, Toyota was already known in the territory of this state as a corporation producing reliable and high-quality cars. But the niche of executive cars was not covered, and therefore it was decided to start developing cars of this category.
Before production began, Toyota organized a large-scale research study of the potential market, which was accompanied by careful design of future cars. For this purpose, premises were rented in California in order to establish the preferences of potential buyers on the spot.
In 1989, work on the creation of the car was completed. According to the corporation, almost 60 designers, about 1,400 specialist engineers in various areas of the automotive industry, and more than 2,500 mechanics were involved in the development. About 450 prototypes of the car were released. In total, more than $ 1 billion was invested in the project.
Production start
However, the outcome of this work was impressive. The Lexus LS 400, unique at that time, entered the market, featuring a unique design, an advanced engine in the V 8, a volume of four liters. Japanese factory in the city of Tahara - the place where the assembled "Lexus" number one.
The Lexus LS 400 debuted in early 1989 at the Detroit Auto Show. Already after 9 months, in September, its sales began through the established distribution network in the United States. At the same time, the process of starting sales was surrounded by massive advertising campaigns in the media.
The first "Lexus" received good reviews for equipment, advanced aerodynamics, efficiency. The gasoline engine was also awarded good reviews. Prices for the car were about $ 38,000, which was considered a reasonable amount. Highly noted and handling characteristics. However, critics noted the stiffness of the suspension. She did not give the opportunity to fully enjoy the comfortable environment of the car.
For the first, 1989, 16 392 Lexus LS 400 units and ES 250 sedan, another company model, were sold in the United States. In 1990, sales increased even more, 63 594 cars of these two models were sold. In the same year, small batches of premium cars were delivered to Australia, the UK, Canada and Switzerland.
Production expansion
In the spring of 1991, the Lexus launched the SC 400 sports coupe with the same engine as the LS 400. It had impressive performance at the time, in 6.9 seconds it could accelerate to 1,000 km / h. After some time, sales of the new generation ES 300 sedan began from the predecessor of the ES 250. This car became the best-selling car of this brand.
In the following year, 1992, Lexus SC 400, ES 300 models were awarded many honorary awards at automobile world exhibitions. The company in terms of sales in the United States overtook the corporations BMW and Mercedes. In September of the same year, the advanced LS 400 was launched on the market, in which almost 50 modifications were introduced.
In January 1993, automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, hired by Lexus to develop innovative and innovative cars, introduced a new model - the GS300. A year later, she became a very noticeable novelty in Europe at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Its platform was based on Toyota S.
The first Lexus SUV, the LS 450, was developed in 1996. Immediately after it, the third generation of the GS 300 was launched. In 1998, Lexus launched the premium crossover, the RX 300, as well as the new generation, the GS 300 and GS 400.
The production version of the RX300 was equipped with a three-liter V 6 engine, as well as an improved 4-speed automatic transmission. The place where the Lexus RX is assembled remains the factory in Tahore. Due to the fact that the capabilities of an SUV, sedan and station wagon were successfully selected in this car, it has become a very popular and best-selling premium crossover in the American market. The following year, 1999, Lexus sold its millionth car in the USA.
In the same period, the company begins to penetrate into South America, sales in Brazil start.
Reorganization
With the beginning of the XXI century, the company annually supplied its new products to the market. This new IS line is a continuation of innovation in the class of sports sedans. At the same time were created: the first SC 430 convertible, as well as new third-generation cars from the LS 430 class.
Around this time, Lexus launched the GX 470 SUV, as well as the new generation RX 330. The year 2004 was marked by the fact that the company marked it with a two-millionth car sold, as well as the launch of the first 400h RX hybrid SUV.
In 2005, Lexus organizationally split with its progenitor, Toyota. He got a production center, a factory where they assemble the Lexus, design bureaus, and design divisions. At the same time, the company entered the domestic market of Japan, and also significantly expanded its sales in global global markets, including China.
The economic crisis of 2008 slowed down the development of sales somewhat. However, in 2009, the YS 250 h was launched into production, a hybrid intended for North America. An off-road hybrid of 450 h RX was also released.
Since 2010, the company entered the market, including the Russian one with the CT 200 h compact hybrid hatchback.
In early 2012, Lexus launched the fourth generation of the GS 350, a new 450h line of options. In the same year, the company begins production of the sixth generation of the ES series.
Where is the Lexus collected?
The company develops and manufactures all cars at one of the most advanced automobile enterprises in the world, at the Tahara plant. The build quality in this place is evidenced by the fact that all employees at the entrance are subject to a mandatory air shower to remove dust.
Since the beginning of the 2000s, Lexus began to assemble cars in other Japanese factories. The North American market is mainly replenished with brand cars at its own assembly plant. Canada, the city of Cambridge - the place where they collect the Lexus.
In the Russian Federation, Lexus has no enterprises for the assembly of its cars and does not plan to open them. This is due to the fact that company management avoids unnecessary risk to their reputation. Almost all cars of this representative brand in the Russian Federation are imported from Japan - the country where they assemble the Lexus for Russia. Those that were produced in North American factories are extremely rare here.
The NX model popular in our country was developed by the company exclusively for car enthusiasts in Russia and the United States. Where they collect the Lexus HX - in Japan. In Miyata Prefecture, at a car factory in Kyushu.
Lexus NX - a crossover, compact, first shown in 2014 in Beijing, in three versions. It is based on the Toyota RAV4 platform. On sale since autumn 2014. At the factory where the Lexus NX is assembled, other models are also being manufactured - RX, CT 200h.