Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation.
First introduced in 1989 in the United States, where Lexus has become the highest-selling
make of luxury car, today Lexus vehicles are available throughout
the world. As of 2006, Lexus is sold in 68 countries and territories worldwide.[1]
In 2005, the Lexus marque launched in Japan, becoming the first Japanese
luxury car marque to be introduced in its home market.[2] Through 2009, the Lexus
brand name has debuted in additional export markets as part of the division's
continued global expansion.[1][3]
Lexus originated from a clandestine
flagship sedan project that began in 1983.[4][5] This effort developed into
the original Lexus LS, which was the first vehicle to wear the Lexus marque upon
its launch in 1989.[6] In following years, Lexus added sedan, coupe, convertible,
and SUV models. In 2005, a hybrid version of the RX crossover debuted,[7]
and additional hybrid models were subsequently introduced to the Lexus lineup.
In 2007, Lexus launched its F marque performance division with the arrival of
the IS F sport sedan.[8]
From the start of production, Lexus vehicles
have been consistently produced in Japan,[9] with manufacturing centered in the
Chubu and Kyushu regions, and in particular at Toyota's Tahara, Aichi, Chubu
and Miyata, Fukuoka, Kyushu plants.[10] Assembly of the first Lexus built outside
the country, the Ontario, Canada-produced RX 330, began in 2003.[9] Following
a corporate reorganization from 2001 to 2005, Lexus operates its own design,
engineering, and manufacturing centers, solely responsible for Lexus production.[11][12]
Since
1989, Lexus has developed a reputation for vehicle
reliability and customer service, as measured by independent surveys.[13] Consumer
ratings firm J.D. Power and Associates has named Lexus the most reliable brand
in the U.S. fourteen times, most recently in 2008,[14] based on its Vehicle
Dependability Survey of over 53,000 vehicle owners and problems experienced in
the first three years of ownership.[15][16] Through 2008, Consumer Reports has
also named Lexus among the top five most reliable brands in its Annual Car Reliability
Surveys of over one million vehicles across the U.S.[17][18]
The
Lexus slogan is The Pursuit of Perfection
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