Where Lexus is assembled: country of origin, brand history and photos

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

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 has no meaning, but is simply a designation for a luxury car. However, the creators claim that the name is related to the name Alexis. It 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).

Define goals, study prospective markets

In 1983, Toyota's management set a goal - to create the best car in the world in the executive class category. During this period, there was a demand for premium cars, especially inUnited States of America. By that time, in the territory of this state, Toyota was already known as a corporation that produces reliable and high-quality cars. But the executive class car niche was not covered, in connection with which it was decided to start developing cars in this category.

Before the start of production, Toyota organized a large-scale research study of the potential market, which was accompanied by a thorough design of future cars. For this purpose, premises in California were rented 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. Approximately 450 prototypes of the car were produced. In total, more than $1 billion has been invested in the project.

Begin production

However, the result of this work was impressive. The Lexus LS 400, unique for those times, entered the market, featuring a unique design, an advanced V 8 engine with a volume of four liters. The Japanese factory in the city of Tahara is the place where Lexus number one is assembled.

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 furnishedmassive advertising campaigns in the media.

The first Lexus received good reviews for its equipment, advanced aerodynamics, economy. The gasoline engine was also awarded good reviews. Prices for the car were about $38,000, which was considered a reasonable amount. Highly marked 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.

In the first year, 1989, 16,392 units of the Lexus LS 400 and the ES 250 sedan, another model of the company, were sold in the United States. In 1990, sales increased even more, with 63,594 of these two models sold. In the same year, small batches of premium cars were delivered to Australia, Great Britain, Canada and Switzerland.

Production expansion

In the spring of 1991, Lexus launched the SC 400 sports coupe on the market, with the same engine as the LS 400. It had impressive performance for those times, in 6.9 seconds it was able to accelerate to 1,000 km / h. After some time, sales of the new generation sedan ES 300 from the predecessor ES 250 began. This car became the best-selling car of this brand.

The following year, 1992, the Lexus SC 400, ES 300 models were awarded many honorary awards at world automobile exhibitions. The company has overtaken BMW and Mercedes in terms of sales in the United States. In September of the same year, an improved LS 400 was launched on the market, in which almost 50modifications.

In January 1993, automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, hired by Lexus to develop innovative and advanced vehicles, released a new model, the GS300. A year later, it became a very noticeable novelty in Europe at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Its platform was based on Toyota S.

The first SUV from Lexus - 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 RX 300, as well as the new generation cars, 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 plant in Tahor remained the place where the Lexus RX is assembled. Due to the fact that the capabilities of an SUV, sedan and station wagon were successfully matched in this car, it became a very popular and best-selling premium crossover in the American market. The following year, 1999, Lexus sold its millionth car in the US.

In the same period, the company's penetration into South America begins, sales start in Brazil.

Reorganization

Since the beginning of the XXI century, the company annually supplied its new products to the market. This and the new IS line is a continuation of innovation in the sports sedan class. At the same time, the first SC 430 convertible was created, as well as new third-generation cars from the LS 430 class.

Around the same time, Lexus launched the GX SUV470, as well as the new generation RX 330. 2004 marked the company's two millionth car sales and the launch of its first 400h RX hybrid SUV.

In 2005, Lexus was organizationally separated from its progenitor, Toyota. He got a production center, a factory where Lexus is assembled, design bureaus, and design departments. At the same time, the company entered the Japanese domestic market, and also significantly expanded its sales in global world markets, including China.

The economic crisis of 2008 somewhat slowed down the development of sales. However, in 2009, the YS 250 h was put into production, destined for North America, Japan hybrid. The 450 h RX off-road hybrid was also released.

Since 2010, the company has entered the market, including the Russian one with a compact hybrid hatchback CT 200 h.

In early 2012, Lexus launched the fourth generation of the GS 350, a new line of 450h variants. In the same year, the company launches the sixth generation of the ES series.

Where is the Lexus assembled?

The company develops and manufactures all cars at one of the most advanced automotive plants in the world, at the Tahara plant. The quality of the build at this location is evidenced by the fact that all employees at the entrance are subjected to a mandatory air shower to remove dust.

From the beginning of the 2000s, Lexusbegan to assemble cars in other Japanese factories. The North American market is mainly replenished with brand machines at its own assembly plant. Canada, the city of Cambridge is the place where the Lexus is assembled.

In the Russian Federation, Lexus does not have any car assembly plants and does not plan to open them. This is due to the fact that the company's management avoids unnecessary risk to its reputation. Almost all cars of this representative brand are imported to the Russian Federation from Japan, the country where Lexus is assembled for Russia. Those made in North American factories are extremely rare here.

Popular in our country, the NX model was developed by the company exclusively for motorists in Russia and the United States. Where the Lexus HX is assembled - in Japan. In Miyata Prefecture, at an automobile factory in Kyushu City.

Lexus NX is a compact crossover, first shown in 2014 in Beijing, in three versions. It is based on the Toyota RAV4 platform. On sale since autumn 2014. At the plant where the Lexus NX is assembled, other models are also being produced - RX, CT 200h.