About the Lexus brand

General Information

Lexus is a Japanese manufacturer of passenger cars, part of the Toyota Motors Corporation structure. The company's main office is located in Toyota City. The company produces premium-class cars primarily aimed at the US market. Lexus models are distinguished by a combination of style, comfort, and quality, as well as good handling and smooth ride thanks to the engine, transmission, and suspension.

Corporate History

In 1983, a group of Toyota engineers began developing a new project — creating the best luxury car. The first Lexus LS 400 was released in July 1985. In May 1986, the car underwent test drives in Germany, and in January 1989, it was presented at auto shows in Detroit and Los Angeles. Sales in the US began in September 1989.

The design of the first Lexus LS 400 was not like typical Japanese cars — it was created with the American buyer in mind. Later it turned out that the streamlined body of the Lexus GS300 model was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The sports sedan GS 300 3T was equipped with an engine created at Toyota's Motosport division in Cologne.

In February 1990, the American press named the Lexus LS 400 the best imported car in the US, noting its power and fuel efficiency due to aerodynamics. In May 1991, production of the SC 400 (coupe) began, which was an export version of the Toyota Soarer for North America. After the 1998 facelift, external differences from the Toyota Soarer became minimal.

The five-seat sedan Lexus ES 300, introduced in summer 1991, was a version of the Toyota Camry for the American market. In January 1993, the Lexus GS 300 debuted. The SUV Lexus LX 450 combined the style of a luxury car with the qualities of the Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ 80. In 1998, it was replaced by the LX 470 — a luxury version of the Toyota Land Cruiser 100.

In autumn 1998, Toyota Motor introduced the IS model. In spring 1999, the compact Lexus IS 200 appeared on European and US markets. In 2000, the lineup was expanded with the IS 300 and LS 430, and the Brake Assist Safety System (BASS), which evenly distributes braking force, became standard on GS, LS, and LX models.

At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Lexus presented an updated version of the RX 300 SUV called the RX 330 — with increased length and width.

In 2005, the world's first hybrid SUV appeared — the RX 400h, which featured smooth ride, low noise levels, fuel efficiency, and low emissions. In 2006, the company introduced the GX 450h model. In January 2007, at the Detroit auto show, the premium sedan IS-F and the sports concept car LF-A were shown.

In the same year, the Lexus IS received five stars in the EURO NCAP crash test for adult occupant protection.

Lexus in Ukraine

The official presentation of Lexus in Ukraine took place on October 19, 2007, with the opening of the first dealership "Lexus City Plaza", built according to Lexus Retail Concept standards.