The luxury car branch of the Japanese carmaker Toyota is called Lexus (, Rekusasu). More than 90 nations and territories throughout the world actively promote the Lexus brand[3]. and is the top-selling brand of luxury vehicles in Japan [6]. According to market valuation, it has been placed among the top 10 Japanese global brands. [7] The headquarters of Lexus are in Nagoya, Japan. Operational hubs are situated in Plano, Texas and Brussels, Belgium, respectively.
Lexus was founded from a corporate initiative to produce a new premium sedan, code-named F1, which started in 1983 and concluded in the unveiling of the Lexus LS in 1989. This was around the same time that Japanese rivals Honda and Nissan formed their Acura and Infiniti luxury divisions, respectively.
[8] Sedan, coup, convertible, and SUV vehicles were later added by the division. All automobiles marketed as Lexus globally from 1989 to 2005 were first introduced in Japan under the Toyota nameplate and a model name similar because Lexus did not exist as a brand there until 2005. A hybrid RX crossover made its debut in 2005, and later hybrid vehicles were added to the range of the division. With the introduction of the IS F sport sedan in 2007, Lexus established its own F marque performance division. In 2009, the LFA supercar followed.
The majority of Lexus automobiles are made in Japan, mostly in the Chbu and Kysh areas, namely in Toyota’s Tahara, Aichi, Chbu, and Miyata, Fukuoka, Kysh facilities. The Canadian-built RX 330, the first Lexus made outside of the United States, started going through assembly in 2003. After a corporate restructuring that took place between 2001 and 2005, Lexus started running its own design, engineering, and manufacturing facilities.
Since the 2000s, Lexus has boosted sales outside of the United States, which is still its biggest market. In 2005, the division opened its first dealerships in the domestic Japanese market, becoming the first Japanese premium automobile brand to do so. [9] Since then, the company has made its debut in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Europe, and other continents. It has also introduced hybrid automobiles in other areas.
In This Article...
Is a Lexus regarded as a European automobile?
Although technically from Japan, Lexus has a long history. So, who is Lexus’s owner? Technically, the Toyota Motor Corporation, a name that many automobile owners are familiar with, owns Lexus. Despite being a member of Toyota, Lexus was built as a luxury brand that is distinct from those of other automakers.
Why is there no Lexus in Europe?
The new 2021 Lexus IS sedan won’t be offered in Europe, according to Autocar:
A representative for Lexus UK stated: “We decided not to launch this new model to the UK market since over 80% of all Lexus models sold in Europe are SUVs and the larger ES is outselling the existing IS at a rate of about two to one.
Given that the ES is a considerably more recent model, it is not surprising that it is outselling the IS. The CT hatchback is still offered in Europe, so there is another factor to take into account.
However, this unexpected action shows that this IS will be more of a comprehensive refresh than a generational shift. Would Lexus really create a car that couldn’t be sold in one of its biggest markets, after all?
Autocar makes a wise insight as to why the new IS won’t be available in Europe:
We anticipate it will use Lexus’ tried-and-true parallel hybrid powertrain in launch variations since plug-in hybrids and electric versions may not be as urgently needed without the strict European Union efficiency rules to worry about.
What country’s automobiles are Lexus?
Although it is owned by the Toyota Motor Corporation and has its own headquarters there, the Lexus brand also operates independently. Rallye Lexus can help you learn more about Lexus’ history and the people who create its automobiles.
Do people in Europe like Lexus?
In spite of stagnant demand in North America, Toyota’s luxury Lexus brand managed a double-digit sales increase last year, celebrating its 30th anniversary in style.
According to a statement released by Toyota on Monday, the brand’s sales, which made their debut in 1989, increased 10% to 765,330 globally last year, driven by high sales of its best-selling RX sports utility vehicle and UX subcompact crossover.
2019 saw a 25 percent increase in sales to 202,000 vehicles in China and a 14 percent increase in deliveries to 87,000 vehicles in the brand’s European regions, including Russia. Sales of 325,000 automobiles were made in North America, the brand’s largest market, according to Toyota, which said they were “level with preceding year.”
According to the European industry group ACEA, Lexus sales in the EU and EFTA markets increased by 20% in 2019 to 56,055, and the brand’s market share increased to 0.4 percent from 0.3 percent.
While Lexus’ transition to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, such hybrids, has been well-received in China and Europe, its older product selection in the United States, where larger cars are the norm, has cost it market share and momentum.
After years of stagnation, Lexus’ recent quick rise in China and Europe is assisting Toyota in achieving its long-standing objective of making the brand a worldwide one. Company representatives claim that they haven’t forgotten about the once-dominant US market and that they have a number of modern automobiles in the works.
To 298,114 vehicles, sales decreased 0.1 percent in the United States last year. That represented the lowest level since 2013 and the fourth year in a row of reductions.
A monument to its triumph over other Japanese luxury brands like Nissan’s Infiniti and Honda’s Acura, whose combined worldwide sales exceed 2.6 million and 5.4 million, respectively, Lexus sold its 10 millionth vehicle last year.
However, Toyota’s premium brand still falls short of its German competitors. Sales of Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler, increased 1.3 percent in 2019 to 2.34 million vehicles, outpacing the BMW Group, which came in second with 2.17 million vehicles sold.
Is Mercedes more opulent than Lexus?
Stick with the Mercedes-Benz logo if you’re interested in ultra-luxury vehicles and ultra-luxury SUVs of any size. The S-Class is the benchmark for luxurious extras in this contest of lavish amenities. However, Mercedes-Benz also performed better than Lexus and other brands in the categories of luxury compact SUVs, luxury midsize SUVs, and even luxury large SUVs. Anyone seeking extravagant experiences from a premium vehicle or SUV won’t be let down by the Mercedes-Benz.
Lexus is the brand for you if hybrid luxury options are significant to you or if you want to get the best materials for a little less. Mercedes-Benz is your brand, though, if you’re in the market for a car and have your heart set on an SUV or midsize sedan with the most extravagant luxury additions and gold-level amenities. Naturally, only you can make that decision, and it might come down to a test drive. However, anyone in the first group might feel as though Lexus creates cars just for them in the end. And the latter group might connect with Mercedes-Benz the best.
Is a Lexus only an upscale Toyota?
Is Lexus a Toyota brand? Yes, the Toyota Motor Corporation, which has its headquarters in Japan, is the owner of the Lexus brand. However, the luxury car line runs separately from Toyota Motor Corporation in many aspects.
CAN you find a Lexus in France?
A wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, Lexus is based in Nagoya. Between 2009 and 2018, the average number of Lexus vehicles sold in France increased from 2000 units in 2009 to 6,101,00 units in 2018. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the company’s sales numbers substantially decreased after that year. Only 4,704 Lexus automobiles were sold in France in 2021.
Infiniti’s failure in Europe: why?
Nissan’s premium branch was no longer regarded as a sustainable business in Western Europe, thus Infiniti is leaving.
At Nissan’s Sunderland facility, production of the company’s two UK-built models, the Q30 and QX30, will come to an end in July. Beginning in early 2020, the corporation will stop all activities in Europe.
The action is a part of Infiniti’s larger global reorganization plan. It will continue its more modest operations in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia while shifting its attention to North America and China.
CAN I BUY LEXUS IN EUROPE?
*Lexus Europe sales include the following Eastern markets: Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Israel, as well as Western Europe (countries that make up the European Union, the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland).
Is Lexus a superior brand to Toyota?
In the U.S. News Battle of the Brands comparison, Lexus defeated Toyota in five of the 13 categories performance, interior, safety, subcompact SUV, and midsize SUV outperforming Toyota in all 13 categories. In the 44-inch midsize SUV class, the two brands were tied.
Although Lexus only triumphed in less than half of the categories, U.S. News nonetheless named it the superior vehicle overall. This is largely attributable to how well the high-end brand performed in the crucial areas of safety and performance. In the latter, Lexus cars typically outperform even the most sporty Toyota models in terms of handling.
Toyota is surpassed by Lexus in terms of interior design as well. While both companies have generally appealing interiors, Lexus cars consistently come with premium materials, cozy seats, and a more opulent vibe.
The Lexus brand is known for its emphasis on luxury, comfort, and overall performance. If you have a higher income and desire a car that provides a pleasant driving experience without compromising performance, upgrading can be worthwhile. If you’re looking for a sports vehicle or an SUV, the upgrade is especially valuable because Lexus consistently obtains top ratings in these categories.
Is Toyota more dependable than Lexus?
According to some reports, Lexus is equally as trustworthy as Toyota. Out of a total of twenty-eight automobile brands, including Toyota, which came in third, Consumer Reports recognized Lexus as the most dependable brand for 2022.
The study rated the data from more than three hundred thousand autos across seventeen criteria to determine which was the most trustworthy. Squeaky brakes, transmission troubles, faults with the four-wheel-drive system, and damaged interiors are a few of the categories in the survey.
You can drive with confidence knowing that your Lexus is a reliable vehicle thanks to its excellent dependability ranking. But even if you choose a Toyota, you can be sure that it will be a dependable vehicle.
Is a Lexus a high-end vehicle?
For both 2017 and 2016, the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards honored Lexus the Best Overall Luxury Brand and the Most Trusted Luxury Brand. Lexus won the Edmunds’ Most Wanted Awards for its ES 350 and RX 350 luxury compact SUVs (luxury midsize car).
Mazda
Mazda’s ability to win over Canada is well recognized. While Mazda is mostly ignored by our American neighbors and only accounts for less than 2% of the market there, it has almost twice as much market share in Canada. In Europe, where Mazda only sold 47,788 automobiles in the first four months of 2021, the tale is overstated. That is less than what Mini and Land Rover accomplished. The market share of Mazda in Canada has increased by 225 percent.
Lexus
European luxury emblems come to mind when people in Europe think about luxury. With a little bit of Volvo, Land Rover, and Porsche tossed in for good measure, the main brands represented are Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. You see, Lexus sells at a level that is comparable to Jaguar’s in Europe. In contrast, Lexus sells nine automobiles in Canada for every one Jaguar. At 1.3 percent, Lexus’ market share in Canada is 225 times more than its minuscule presence there.
Ford
We can’t deny the reality that Ford actually sells a lot of cars in Europe; over 200,000 in the first quarter of 2021. Ford and Volkswagen are actually competing for the top rank among brands in the U.K. But compared to the Blue Oval, Canada’s top brand, which holds 13.7 percent of the Canadian market, Ford only holds 5.1 percent of the whole European market. Only the F-Series truck family contributes to Canadian auto sales, which total about 8%. It is obvious that the European market bears no resemblance whatsoever to the Canadian market.