Lexus ( ???? , Rekusasu ) is division of luxury vehicles Japan car maker Toyota. Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide and has become the largest premium car brand in Japan. It has ranked among the top 10 global brands in Japan in market value. Lexus is headquartered in Nagoya, Japan. The operational centers are located in Brussels, Belgium, and the US in Plano, Texas.
Lexus came from the company's project to develop a new, code-named F1 premium sedan, which started in 1983 and culminated in the launch of Lexus LS in 1989. Furthermore, the division added sedan, coupÃÆ'Â ©, convertible and SUV models. Lexus did not exist as a brand in the domestic market until 2005, and all vehicles that are marketed internationally as Lexus from 1989 to 2005 were released in Japan under the Toyota marque and equivalent model names. In 2005, a hybrid version of the RX crossover debuted and an additional hybrid model later joined the division lineup. Lexus launched its own performance division F marque in 2007 with the debut of the IS F sports sedan, followed by the LFA supercar in 2009.
Lexus vehicles are mostly produced in Japan, with manufacturing centered in Ch? Mom and Ky? Sh? region, and especially in Toyota Tahara, Aichi, Ch? bu and Miyata, Fukuoka, Ky? sh? plant. The first Lexus assembly built abroad, Ontario, Canada-produced RX 330, started in 2003. After the reorganization of the company from 2001 to 2005, Lexus began operating its own design, engineering and manufacturing center.
Since the 2000s, Lexus has increased sales outside of its largest market, the United States. The division inaugurated dealerships in Japan's domestic market in 2005, becoming the first Japanese premium car marque to be launched in its home country. This brand was introduced in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Europe, and other regions. The division lineup also reflects regional differences for model and powertrain configurations.
Video Lexus
History
1980s: Project F1
The brand was made around the same time as Japanese rivals Nissan and Honda developed their Infiniti and Acura premium brands. The Japanese government imposed restrictions on voluntary exports for the US market, making it more profitable for Japanese carmakers to export more expensive cars to the US.
In 1983, Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda issued a challenge to build the world's best car. The project, code-named F1 ("Flagship One") developed the Lexus LS 400 to expand Toyota's product line in the premium segment. The F1 project follows Toyota Supra sports cars and premium models of the Toyota Mark II. Both Supra and Mark II are rear-wheel drive cars with powerful 7-G-7 or 7-GTE 7-GTE engines. The largest sedan Toyota built at the time was the limited-edition Toyota Century production of the 1960s, domestic-made limousine and the V8-powered model, followed by a six-seat Toyota Crown sedan. The century was conservatively laid out for the Japanese market and along with Crown was not scheduled for export after the restyle in 1982. The F1 designers targeted their new sedan in the international market and started development on the new V8 engine.
Japanese manufacturers exported more expensive models in the 1980s due to the restriction of voluntary exports negotiated by the Japanese government and US trade representatives that restricted mainstream car sales. In 1986, Honda launched the Acura marque in the US, affecting Toyota's plans for luxury division. The original Acura model was an export version of the Honda Legend, which was launched in Japan in 1985 as a rival to Toyota Crown, Nissan Cedric/Gloria and Mazda Luce. In 1987, Nissan launched its plan for premium brand, Infiniti, and revised the Nissan President's sedan in the form of a standard wheelbase for export as the Infiniti Q45, launched in 1990. Mazda began selling Luce as Mazda 929 in North America in 1988 and then began to plan to develop an upscale marque to be called Amati, but the plan does not come to fruition.
Toyota researchers visited the US in May 1985 to conduct focus groups and market research on luxury consumers. During that time, some F1 designers rented a house in Laguna Beach, California to observe the lifestyle and tastes of top-class American consumers. Meanwhile, the F1 engineering team undertook prototype testing at sites ranging from German autobahns to US roads. Toyota's market research concludes that a separate brand and sales channel is required to present a new sedan, and plans are made to develop a new network of dealers in the US market.
Brand development
In 1986, Toyota Saatchi & amp; Saatchi formed a special unit, Team One, to handle marketing for a new brand. Lippincott & amp; Margul was employed to develop a list of 219 candidate names; Vectre, Verone, Chaparel, Caliber, and Alexis were selected as the top candidates. While Alexis quickly became a front runner, concerns were raised that the name applied to people more than cars (linked to Alexis Carrington's character in the popular 1980s drama prime time Dynasty). As a result, the first letter is removed and "i" is replaced with "u" to rename it to Lexus.
The name etymological theories of Lexus have suggested it is a combination of the words "luxury" and "elegance," and that it is an acronym for "fancy exports to the US" According to a Tim One interview, the brand name has no special meaning and only shows the image luxury and technology. Prior to the launch of the first vehicle, LexisNexis database service obtained a temporary order prohibiting the name Lexus used because it can cause product confusion. The order threatens to delay the division's launch and marketing efforts. The US appellate court ruled the order, deciding that there was little chance of confusion between the two products.
The original Lexus slogan, developed after Team One's representatives visited Lexus's designers in Japan and noted an obsessive attention to detail, became "Pursuit of Unlimited Perfection." Lexus's logo was developed by Molly Designs and Hunter Communications. The final design for the Lexus logo displays the " L " style in an oval shape, and according to Toyota, is given using a mathematical formula. The first teaser ads featuring Lexus names and logos appeared at the Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York auto shows in 1988.
Launch
The F1 project was completed in 1989, involving 60 designers, 24 engineering teams, 1,400 engineers, 2,300 technicians, 220 support workers, about 450 prototypes and over $ 1 billion in fees. The resulting car, the Lexus LS 400, has a design that does not share the main elements with the previous Toyota vehicle, with a new 4.0 L V8 petrol engine and rear wheel drive. The car debuted in January 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and sales of the vehicle began in September next on a network of 81 new Lexus dealers in the US LS 400 sold along with a smaller ES 250, a rebadged version of the Japanese market Toyota Camry Prominent/Toyota Vista. The launch of Lexus is accompanied by a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign.
The LS 400 is praised for its tranquility, well-ordered and ergonomic interior, engine performance, building quality, aerodynamics, fuel savings and value. However, it is criticized by some car columnists for derivative styling and suspensions considered to be too sacrifice handling for ride comfort. In some markets, the price is priced with medium size, six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz and BMW models. It's rated by Car and Driver magazine as better than the higher-priced Mercedes-Benz 420 SEL and BMW 735i in terms of ride, handling and performance. The LS 400 also won automotive awards from automotive publications including Automobile Magazine and Wheels Magazine. Lexus quickly formed customer loyalty and its debut was generally regarded as a surprise to the existing luxury marques. Sales figures for BMW and Mercedes-Benz US fell 29 percent and 19 percent, respectively, with BMW executives accusing Lexus of dumping in the market, while 35 percent of Lexus buyers trade in Lincoln or Cadillac.
In December 1989, Lexus initiated a voluntary withdrawal from all 8,000 LS 400s based on two customer complaints over damaged cables and overheated brake lights. The 20-day operation to replace parts of the affected vehicle includes technicians to retrieve, repair and return the car to customers for free, as well as flying personnel and renting garage space for owners in remote locations. These responses are covered in media publications and help build an early marque reputation for customer service.
By the end of 1989, a total of 16,392 LS 400 and ES 250 sedans were sold in four months after the US launch. Although sales have started at a slower pace than expected, the final tally matches the division's target of 16,000 units for the year. Following the initial model, the plan called for the addition of a sports coupe along with a redesigned ES sedan.
1990s: Growth and expansion
In 1990, during its first year of sales, Lexus sold 63,594 LS 400 and ES 250 sedans in the US, the majority was the LS model. That year, Lexus also began exporting limited to England, Switzerland, Canada and Australia. In 1991, Lexus launched its first sports coupe, the SC 400, which shares the V8 LS 400 engine and rear-wheel drive design. This was followed by a second generation ES 300 sedan, which replaced the ES 250 and became Lexus's top seller. By the end of 1991, Lexus had become the top-selling premium car imports in the US, with sales reaching 71,206 vehicles. That year, Lexus was ranked highest in the J.D. study. Power and Associates on initial vehicle quality, customer satisfaction, and sales satisfaction for the first time. Marque also began to increase the price of US models beyond the comparable American premium brands, but still below the upscale European model. In 1992, the base price of LS 400 has increased 18 percent.
In 1993, Lexus launched a medium-sized GS 300 sports sedan, based on Toyota Aristo using Toyota's "S" platform from Toyota Crown, which had been sold for two years previously in Japan. The GS 300 is priced under the LS 400 in the marque lineup. In the same year, Lexus became one of the first marques to start a certified pre-ownership program, with the aim of enhancing the value of the trade-in model. Marque introduced the second generation LS 400 in 1994. In May 1995, sales were threatened by a US government proposal on 100 percent tariffs on top-class Japanese cars in response to the widening US-Japan trade deficit. SUVs are exempt from the proposed sanctions. Normal sales operations began in late 1995 when Japanese automakers collectively approved a larger US investment and the tariffs were not enforced.
In 1996, Lexus debuted its first sporting vehicle, the LX 450, followed by the third generation of the ES 300 sedan. The marque plan to develop the SUV model was accelerated during the US-Japan tariff discussion of 1995. Lexus added the first luxury luxury rover SUV, the RX 300, and second generation GS 300 and GS 400 sedans in 1998. Crossover RX is a targeted suburban buyer who wants an upscale SUV but does not require off-road LX capabilities. It was very successful, eventually becoming a marque sales model in front of the ES sedan. That same year, Lexus made its debut in South America's most populous country when it launched sales in Brazil. In 1999, Lexus listed 1 million vehicles sold in the US market and was ranked as the best-selling premium car maker in the US overall.
2000s: Global reorganization
In 2000, Lexus introduced the IS line, a series of entry-level sports sedans. In 2001, the first convertible was introduced, as well as the SC 430, the redesign of the ES300 and the third generation LS 430. The mid-size SUV GX 470 debuted in 2002, followed by the second generation RX 330 in 2003. Here's the year, 2 million US vehicle sales, and the first luxury luxury branded hybrid SUV, the RX 400h. This vehicle uses Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system that combines gasoline and electric motors.
In 2005, Lexus completed the separation of the organization from Toyota's parent company, with specialized design, engineering, training, and manufacturing centers working exclusively for the division. This effort coincides with the launch of Lexus in the Japanese domestic market and the expansion of global brand launches in markets such as China. Executives aim to increase Lexus sales outside of its biggest market in the US. To accompany this expansion, the next-generation Lexus vehicle was redesigned as a "global model" for international release. In the European market, where Lexus has long faced tough sales due to low brand recognition, some special dealerships and import quotas of the 1990s, marque announced plans to introduce hybrid and diesel powertrakes, increase the number of Lexus dealerships, and expand operations at developing country. markets like Russia.
The arrival of Lexus in the Japanese market in July 2005 marked the first introduction of Japan's premium car marque in the domestic market. The new generation LS, IS, ES, GS, and RX models then became available in Japan along with the SC 430, ending domestic sales of Toyota branded models under the nameplate Celsior, Altezza, Windom, Aristo, Harrier, and Soarer respectively. Altezza and Aristo were previously exclusive to Toyota's Japan retail sales channel called Toyota Vista Store, Exclusive Windom for Toyota Corolla Store, Celsior and Harrier exclusive to Toyopet Store, and Soarer previously available at Toyota Store and Toyopet Store. location. Lexus models sold in Japan feature higher specifications and premium prices compared to their Toyota counterparts. Sales for the first half of the year are slower than expected, influenced by the contraction of the domestic car market and rising prices, but improved in the months that followed with an expanded lineup.
Through the mid-2000s, Lexus experienced sales success in South Korea and Taiwan, becoming the top selling brands in both markets in 2005; the marque also sold well in the Middle East, where it ranked first or second among its competitors in several countries, and in Australia, where Lexus reached the third position in luxury car sales in 2006. The division's executives in 2006 announced the expansion goal of 68 the country became 76 worldwide in 2010. By the end of the decade, this expansion resulted in official launches in Malaysia and South Africa in 2006, Indonesia in 2007, Chile in 2008, and the Philippines in 2009.
Hybrid Model and F
In 2006, Lexus started sales of the GS 450h, a hybrid V6 performance sedan, and launched its fourth generation LS line, comprising of standard V8 and long wheelbase (LS 460 and LS 460 L) and hybrid (LS 600h and LS 600h L) versions. The fifth generation ES 350 also debuted in the same year. LS 600h L is then sold as the most expensive sedan ever produced in Japan. By the end of 2006, Lexus's annual sales had reached 475,000 vehicles worldwide. In January 2007, Lexus announced the new F performance division performance, which will produce a performance-inspired version of the racing model. IS F, debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, accompanied by a concept car, the LF-A.
In October 2007, Lexus entered the Special Equipment Market Association exhibition in the US for the first time with IS F, and announced F-Sport trim performance levels and factory-approved accessory lines. The increasing emphasis on the sporty model is an attempt to target rivals from Mercedes-Benz and BMW's AMG divisions. Models like the SC 400 and GS 400 have received positive reactions from sports luxury buyers, most Lexus models have been characterized as comfort that supports the feeling and handling of sporty roads, compared to European rivals. By the end of 2007, Lexus's annual worldwide sales had surpassed 500,000 vehicles, and the marque was classified as China's best-selling premium for the first time. The largest sales markets in the order of sizes for 2007 are US, Japan, UK, China, Canada, and Russia.
In 2008, amid a recession late in 2000 and a weakening world car market, global sales fell 16 percent to 435,000, with declines in markets such as the US and Europe where shipments fell by 21 percent and 27.5 percent, respectively. In 2009, the marque launched the HS 250h, a special hybrid sedan for North America and Japan, the RX 450h, a second-generation hybrid SUV that replaced the previous RX 400h, and then that year debuted US $ 375,000 LFA coupe exotic. At the end of 2009, citing higher sales of hybrid models over their gasoline counterparts, Lexus announced plans to become a hybrid-only marque in Europe. By the end of the decade, Lexus ranks as the fourth largest premium car in the world by volume, and is the number one selling premium car in the US for 10 years in a row.
2010s: Recent developments
In 2010, Lexus experienced a gradual sales recovery in North America and Asia as the marque focused on adding hybrids and derivative new models. Sales in the US remain stable despite Toyota Toyota's 2009-2010 recall, some of which include the Lexus model. Certain ES 350 and IS models are affected by the recall for potentially stuck flooring, while Toyota's parent company bears the burden of negative publicity amid an investigation of a series of product withdrawals and the level of problems per vehicle. The redesigned GX 460 was also voluntarily recalled in April 2010 for a software update, one week after Consumer Reports issued a recommendation not to purchase an SUV, citing possible rollover risks after a slow stability control response to an emergency shift high speed. Although the publication is aware of no reported incidents, GX 460 accepts updated stability control software.
In late 2010 and early 2011, Lexus started sales of the CT 200h, a compact four-door hybrid hatchback designed for Europe, in several markets. Sales of regional models shifted lower also expanded, starting with ES 240 in China followed by RX 270; Japan, Russia and Taiwan are among the markets that accept model variants aimed at reducing emissions or import taxes. In March 2011, the T-hoku earthquake and tsunami caused severe disruption to the Lexus production line in Japan, which hampered the prospect of short-term sales in the marque. US executive Lexus stated that due to shortage of vehicles amid fierce competition from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, the marque will not remain the country's top-selling premium car brand.
Cumulative sales results for 2011 showed a 14 percent drop in sales in the US market, along with a 40 percent sales increase and 27 percent in Europe and Japan, for a global total of 410,000 units. Lexus sequenced from 11 years in a row as the best-selling US luxury marque that ended that year, with the title going to BMW followed by Mercedes-Benz. While 45 percent of Lexus sales in the US in 2011 rely on a luxurious RX crossover SUV, Mercedes-Benz's best rival is the E-Class luxury sedan, which gives a very high price. Furthermore, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda vowed to restore his passion to the marque and further enhance his organizational independence, acknowledging that "... at that time we did not regard Lexus as a brand, but as a distribution channel". As a result of Toyoda's organizational change, Lexus's senior manager reports directly to the chairman for the first time in marque history.
In January 2012, the marque began selling its fourth generation GS line, including the GS 350 and GS 450h variants, as well as the lower GS 250 displacement models for selected markets. In April 2012, the sixth generation ES line, including the ES 350 and ES 300h variants, debuted at the New York International Auto Show.
In April 2014, Lexus launched a five-seater crossover NX. This vehicle has the first feature for Lexus vehicles: turbocharger. Its nomenclature is denoted as 200t. In August 2014, Toyota announced it would cut the price of Lexus spare parts in China by 35 percent. The company acknowledged the move in response to an inquiry overshadowed earlier in the month by China's National Development Commission and the Lexus Spare Parts Reform Commission, as part of an industry-wide investigation into what Chinese regulators deem very high prices charged by car manufacturers. for spare parts and after sales service.
In March 2016, Lexus announced that it will produce a new vehicle: a two-door LC 500. The vehicle will be produced by the end of 2017 in a V8 version that extinguished 467 horsepower. The LC 500h, a hybrid V6 variant, is potential to become available by the end of 2017 or early 2018.
Maps Lexus
Company affairs
Operation
Lexus International, led by the managing official of Tokuo Fukuichi, coordinates the operation of Toyota's luxury division around the world. Other executives at Lexus global headquarters, located in Nagoya, Aichi, include Mark Templin, executive vice president of Lexus International, and Japan's marque Sales and Marketing manager and global Marketing Products and Planning division. Despite organizational separation from its parent company, Lexus International reports directly to Toyota chief executive Akio Toyoda.
In the US, Lexus operations are led by Jeffrey Bracken, group vice president and general manager of the US Lexus division, located in Southern California. In Europe, Lexus operations are led by Alain Uyttenhoven, vice president of Lexus Europe, located in Brussels. The companion design facility is located in Southern California and central Japan, with a fully-designed head design studio using the Lexus model at Toyota City, Aichi.
Lexus sales operations vary in structure by region. In many markets, like the US, the dealer network is a different organization from the corporate headquarters, with a Lexus showroom that is owned and operated separately. In contrast, in Japan, all 143 dealers in the country are owned and operated by Lexus. Some markets have designated third-party regional distributors; for example, in the United Arab Emirates, sales operations are managed by Al-Futtaim Motors LLC, and in Costa Rica, Lexus vehicles are sold through regional distributors Purdy Motors SA Other authorized official authorized distributors have sold Lexus models before launch, or absence, dealer networks special.
The Lexus brand was launched in the Indian market in 2017, with models RX450h, LX450d, LX570d, ES300h, NX, LS. Dealers in Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon and Bangalore started operations in March 2017, when the brand started sales in India. The second series of dealerships will be in Chandigarh, Cochin and Chennai and will operate by the end of 2017. This makes Lexus the fifth luxury brand to be launched in India, after Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW and Audi.
Sales
Lexus's global vehicle sales reached an all-time high point in 2007, totaling 518,000. Sales declined in subsequent years due to the effects of the 2008 recession and the Japanese tsunami of 2011. After this, sales recovered and hit new heights of 523,000 in 2013.
By 2014, the Lexus brand sets a new global sales record after selling 582,000 vehicles. This makes Lexus the fourth best-selling luxury brand in the world, following BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.
Lexus' global vehicle sales increased 12 percent in 2015 to reach another annual sales record with 652,000 units sold worldwide.
Global cumulative sales of Lexus brand hybrid electric cars reached the 500,000 mark in November 2012. The achievement of 1 million sales was achieved in March 2016. Lexus RX 400h/RX 450h ranks the top as Lexus hybrid sales with 335,000 units shipped worldwide in March 2016 , followed by Lexus CT 200h with 267,000 units.
Lexus has not sold well in Europe, where it has suffered from less brand recognition, images, and less developed dealer networks. In the European market, Lexus LS has ranks behind Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW in the sale of luxury luxury cars. Automotive analysts have suggested possible reasons for sales disparities, where European buyers have less emphasis on vehicle reliability and have more brand loyalty to established domestic mangoes. In contrast, Lexus LS has ranked second in sales to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (and in front of rivals from BMW, Audi, and Jaguar) in markets outside Europe, such as South Africa.
US sales figures
Currently all Lexus models for the US market are imported from Japan, with the exception of RX, which is also manufactured in Cambridge, Ontario for North America. Medium RX crossover is the best-selling Lexus model in the United States, while the medium size ES car is the most popular sedan in the line-up.
Financial performance
Financial data from Lexus operations are not publicly disclosed. However, automotive analysts estimate that the Lexus division contributes disproportionately to Toyota's profits, relative to limited production and sales volume. Interviews with retired division officials indicate that depending on sales volume, vehicle product development cycle, and exchange rate, Lexus sales have accounted for half of Toyota's annual annual US earnings in certain years. Division executives have used pricing strategies aimed at maintaining profit margins rather than sales volumes, with historically lower price incentives than competing brands. In 2006 Lexus entered the Interbrand list of the Top 100 Global Brands for the first time, with an estimated brand value of about $ 3 billion per year. In 2009, Interbrand placed Lexus as Japan's seventh largest brand, between Panasonic and Nissan, based on revenue, revenues, and market value.
Automobiles
Line of vehicles
The global Lexus line has different sized class sedans, including compact IS and HS models, midsize ES and GS models, and full-size LS. Convertibles include the model IS C. The size of a sports vehicle varies from compact NX and RX crossover, to mid-size GX and full-size LX. Hybrid models include CT hatchback, HS sedan, and GS, LS, and RX variants. The line F marque produces variants of the GS sedan, RC coupe and LFA.
F marque
Lexus produces the highest performance model under its F-marque division. His name refers to Flagship and Fuji Speedway in Japan, whose first bend, 27R, inspired the symbol of " F ". F marque models were developed by the Lexus Vehicle Performance Development Division. The first model F marque, IS F, went on sale in 2007, followed by the LFA in 2009. The associated F-Sport performance trimming levels and factory-approved accessory lines are available for standard Lexus models such as the IS 250 and IS 350. F-Sport succeeded made an in-house in-house tuning effort, the TRD-based L-Tuned, which offers performance packages on IS and GS sedans in the early 2000s (decades).
The latest edition for F marque performance includes Lexus RC F and Lexus GS F.
Model Nomenclature
The Lexus production model is named alphanumeric using two-letter marking followed by three digits. The first letter shows the relative status in the Lexus model range (rank), and the second letter refers to the style or type of car body (eg LS for 'luxury sedan'). Three digits indicate engine displacement in liters multiplied by a hundred factors (eg 350 for a 3.5 L engine). Space is used between letters and numbers. The same letter can be used differently depending on the model; 'S' may refer to 'sedan' or 'sport' (eg in LS and SC), whereas 'X' refers to 'luxury utility vehicle' or SUV. In hybrids, three digits refer to the combined petrol-electric output. For certain models, lowercase letters placed after alphanumeric designation indicate the type of powerplant ('h' for hybrid, 'd' for diesel, 't' for turbocharged), while capital letters placed at the end indicate class subtypes (eg 'L' for long wheelbase, 'C' for coupe, 'AWD' for all-wheel drive). In the F marque model, the designation of two letters and the letters 'F' is used without numbers or dashes (eg IS F).
Design and technology
The Lexus design has traditionally placed an emphasis on targeting certain vehicle development standards. Since the beginning of the marque, design targets range from aerodynamics and driving qualities to interior ergonomics. Backronym "IDEAL" ("Impressive, Dynamic, Elegant, Advanced, and Lasting") is used in the development process. Each vehicle is designed according to about 500 specific product standards, known as "Lexus Musts," on criteria such as leather chair seams. The design elements of the marque concept vehicle line, the LF series (including 2003 LF-S and 2004 LF-C), have been included in the production model.
The vehicle cabin incorporates Optitron electroluminescent gauges, SmartAccess, smart key entry and system startup, and multimedia features. Starting with the 2010 RX and HS models, the Remote Touch system, which features controllers such as a computer mouse with haptic feedback, is introduced; Other models have featured touch-screen controls (through model year 2009) as the navigation screen interface. 2014 sees the introduction of the next version of Lexus remote touch innovation - Touchpad Remote Touch Interface in the new RC Coupe.
In 1989, Lexus became one of the first premium car marques to complement the model with premium audio system, in partnership with the Nakamichi stereo company. Since 2001, the optional surround sound system is offered through high-end audio suppliers, Mark Levinson. To reduce cabin noise, the first LS 400 introduced steel sandwich coating, and later models added acoustic glass. In 2006, LS 460 debuted first air ceiling diffusers and infrared body temperature sensors in the car. Telematics services include G-Book with G-Link in Asia and Lexus Enform in North America.
In 2006, Lexus combined the first production of eight-speed automatic transmission in the car with the LS 460, and the gearbox was later adapted for the GS 460 and IS F models. Continuous variable transmissions, regenerative brakes, and electric motors have been used on all Lexus hybrid models. In 2007, Lexus executives hinted at the intention to complete the model further with hybrid powertrains, serving demands for decreasing carbon pollution and oil dependence. Hybrid models have been distinguished by separate lighting and lighting technologies; in 2008, the LS 600h L became the first production vehicle to use LED headlamps.
The safety features of the Lexus model range from stability and handling programs (Vehicle Stability Control and Integrated Dynamics Management) to backup cameras, turning lights, and sonar warning systems. The Lexus Pre-Collision System (PCS) integrates several security systems. In 2007, Lexus introduced the first car safety system with infrared and pedestrian detection capabilities, lane keep assist, Driver Monitoring System with face recognition monitoring for driver attention, and whiplash protection of pre-collision rear, as part of the LS 460 PCS. As a security precaution, the Lexus GPS navigation system in many areas displays movement locking when the vehicle reaches a set speed; to prevent interference, navigation input is limited, while certain voice and button inputs are still accessible. This security feature has invited criticism because passengers can not use certain functions when the vehicle is in motion. The pre-2007 model came with a hidden manufacturer replacement option, and the updated European model allowed the operation to run.
The production model under development includes convertibles, crossovers, and special hybrids. Under the F marque, Lexus plans to produce high-performance vehicles with the first expression IS IS and LFA. Lexus officials have also discussed the use of standard production models from various platforms. LS uses a special platform, while entry-level Lexus ES has been criticized for being too similar to the Toyota Camry, with which it shares platforms up to sixth generation, both in styling design and powertrain. The NÃÆ'¼rburgring test track in Germany has also seen Lexus prototype testing.
L-finesse
Lexus introduced a new design language known as "L-finesse" in the mid-2000s with the concept of LF and Lexus GS 2006 series. L-finesse is represented by three Japanese kanji characters translated as "Elegant Grace, Sharp Simplicity, and Anticipation the Seamless ". Design characteristics, including fastback profiles, low grille sets, and the use of both convex and concave surfaces, are derived from Japanese cultural motifs (eg kirikaeshi phrase in arrow form). While previous Lexus models were criticized for reserved styling and derivatives, and are often mistaken for a homely domestic car market, automotive design analysis illustrates L-stratagem as adding the distinctive properties and embracing Japanese design identity. Opinions vary for L-finesse debut in GS;
Production
Assembly plant
The first Lexus vehicle was produced at Toyota's Tahara factory, a highly sophisticated computerized manufacturing plant in Japan. Lexus production techniques include methods and standards of quality control different from the Toyota model. At the Tahara plant, a separate assembly line was developed for Lexus vehicles, along with new molds and specialized manufacturing equipment. Welding process, tolerance as per body panels, and paint quality requirements more stringent. Lexus factory workers, usually veteran technicians, are identified through repeated performance evaluations and ranked according to skill level, with limited applicants accepted. The highest level of takumi (Japanese technicians for "handyman") is responsible for maintaining production standards at key points in the assembly process, such as testing engine performance. Production vehicles are visual inspections for defects, individually driven by tests at high speed, and subject to vibration tests.
During the 2000s (decades), most of the Lexus sedans and SUV production have taken place in Japan at the Tahara plant in Aichi and the Miyata factory in Fukuoka. In addition to the Tahara factory, Lexus vehicles have been manufactured at Miyata (Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc.) factory in Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Higashi Fuji (Kanto Auto Works, Ltd.) factory in Susono, Shizuoka and Sanage (Toyota) factories. Boshoku Corp.; Araco) at Toyota City, Aichi. Front-wheel drive cars, such as ES and HS, are manufactured in Fukuoka Prefecture. The Kokura factory in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, which opened in 2008, is a special hybrid production site for Lexus models such as gasoline-electric RX. RX 350 North American market (since 2004 model) was produced at Cambridge (Toyota Canada, Inc.) factory in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, which is the first Lexus production location located outside of Japan. At the end of 2015, Lexus began assembling the ES 350 North American specification sedan at the Georgetown plant (TMMK, Inc.).
Quality rating
In the 2000s (decades), Consumer Reports named Lexus among the top five most reliable brands in its annual Car Reliability Survey of over one million vehicles across the US.
Services
Lexus has been known for its efforts to provide top-class imagery, especially with services provided after the sale. The waiting area in the service department is full of amenities, ranging from refreshment bar to indoor putting green. Dealers usually offer free borrower cars or "free cars" and free car washes, and some have added cafes in designer places and boutiques. The bay service is lined with large picture windows for owners to keep an eye on their vehicle services. In 2005, Lexus also began booking parking spaces in major sports arenas, entertainment events, and shopping malls, with the only requirement for free entry is the ownership of Lexus vehicles. The online owner's publication, Lexus Magazine, features automotive and lifestyle articles and is published online every month and on mobile sites.
Since 2002, Lexus has scored top-of-the-line in the Auto Express customer satisfaction survey and 76,000 Top Gear respondents in the UK. Lexus has also repeatedly occupied 79.8-responders JDR Power Customer Service Index and Luxury Institute, New York survey in the US. As a result of the level of service satisfaction, the marque has one of the highest customer loyalty levels in the industry. To improve customer service, employees are instructed to follow the "Lexus Agreement," the promise of a marque establishment (stating that "Lexus will treat every customer as we will be a guest in our home"), and some dealers have included training in top-tier companies. such as Nordstrom department stores and Ritz-Carlton hotels.
Motorsport
Lexus first entered the motorsport arena in 1999 when its race unit, Team Lexus, fielded two GS 400 racing vehicles in the Tour Cup car tour series of Motorola North American Street. In its 1999 inaugural season, Team Lexus grabbed its first win with the sixth race at Road Atlanta. Led by Sports Car Club of America and Chuck Goldsborough International Sports Association's driver, based in Baltimore, Maryland, Team Lexus utilized the first generation Lexus IS debut by including three IS 300s in the third race of the 2001 season Grand-Am Cup in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lexus team won the first IS 300 victory of the year at Virginia International Raceway. In 2002, the competitive efforts of the Lexus Team in the Grand-Am Cup ST1 (Street Tuner) class achieved victory in the Team and Driver Championships, and swept the top three finishes at the Mont-Tremblant Circuit in Quebec, Canada.
After releasing the Lexus brand in Japan's domestic market in 2005, Lexus approved the entry of four SC 430 coupes in the Grand GT All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship series in the GT500 class. In the first race of the 2006 series, SC 430 took the checkered flag, and drivers AndrÃÆ'Â © Lotterer and Juichi Wakisaka ran to 430 SC to win the GT500 championship for that year. In 2007, the other SC 430 won the GT500 opening round race. In 2006, Lexus raced hybrid vehicles for the first time, entering the GS 450h hybrid sedan in partnership with Sigma Advanced Racing Development at 24 Hours Tokachi in Hokkaido, Japan. Lexus Canada also entered GS 450h in the Targa Newfoundland 2007 event. In 2009, the Lexus Super GT Team SC 430 and IS 350 drivers won the GT500 and GT300 championships, respectively.
Lexus's participation in endurance races includes the Daytona 24 Hour Rolex, approved by the Grand American Road Racing Association. Upon entering the Rolex Sports Car Series in 2004, Lexus has won more than 15 races of the Rolex Series event. In 2005, Lexus became runner-up, and in 2006, he won the championship. Although Toyota has won this race in the past, this is the first time the emergence of its luxury as a winner. In 2007, six Daytona-powered Daytona prototypes were included in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona event at Daytona International Speedway. Lexus is the recurring winner of the event, with Lexus-Riley prototypes driven by Scott Pruett, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Salvador DurÃÆ'¡n of Chassis Ganassi Racing who finish first; The Lexus-Riley prototype also takes three of the top ten spots. In 2008, Lexus won its third consecutive win in Daytona. For the 2010 season, Lexus departs from Rolex Sports Car Series, and Ganassi Racing switches to a BMW/Dinan engine.
The LF-A prototype also competed in the NÃÆ'¼rburgring from 2008 to 2011 in the VLN endurance race and in the 24 Hours NÃÆ'¼rburgring, also with the IS F. On May 14, 2011, the CT 200h was set by Gazoo Racing who competed in Adenauer ADAC Rundstrecken -Trophy, a six- hour.
3GT Racing, a partnership of Lexus and Paul Gentilozzi, entered two Lexus RC F GT3 in 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Marketing
From the very beginning, Lexus has been advertised for luxury consumers using specialized marketing strategies, with consistent motives used for marque advertisements. Beginning in 1989, television commercials were narrated by actor James Sloyan (voice "Mr. Lexus" to 2009), and were accompanied by vehicles performing unusual stunt acts. The first decade of Lexus advertisements (1989-99) consisted primarily of disjunctive verbal descriptions, such as "relentless," "chasing," and "perfection," while vehicles were used to claim superiority in the precision, idleness, and tranquility and interior comfort. in front of the camera. Examples include champagne glasses "Balance" (1989) and rolling "Ball Bearing" (1992). In the 2000s (decades), advertisements included feature descriptions, or narrations of on-screen events, and were often targeted at German competitors in the marque. The "December to Remember" annual campaign displays the scene of family members who shocked loved ones with new Lexus prizes. Marque returned to the champagne glass theme in place of the LS 460 in 2006 that showed a sedan maneuver between two pyruff goggles using his own parking system, and at the LFA 2010 spot that showed his engine sound destroying the glass through the resonant frequency.
Industry watchers have attributed Lexus's initial marketing success to a higher level of perception of quality and lower prices than competitors, which has allowed the marque to attract customers improving from mass-market cars. Reliable reputation, supported by reliability surveys, is also a major factor in attracting new customers from competing premium products. Since then Lexus has grown to command a higher premium price than its rival Japanese brand, with new models increasingly increasing prices and reaching over 100,000 ultra-luxury categories dominated by rival European marques.
Automotive analysts also noted the relative status of Lexus newcomers as a marketing challenge for brands, although some have debated long history requirements. European rivals have been marketing their decade of inheritance and pedigree, while the reputation of Lexus lies primarily in the perceived quality and sharing of history with Toyota's parent company. Some analysts have stated that Lexus must develop its own heritage from time to time by highlighting technological innovations and producing substantial products.
Lexus's marketing efforts have been extended to sponsorship of sporting and charity events, including the Open Tennis Grand Slam US event from 2005 to 2009, and the US Open Golf Association's US Open, US Open, Senior US and US Amateurs since 2007. Lexus has hosted championships the annual Charity golf series in the US since 1989. The support contract has also been signed with professional athletes Andy Roddick, Annika SÃÆ'¶renstam, and Peter Jacobsen.
Since 2008, Lexus has run L Studio video website. Events in L Studio include Web Therapy .
Lexus launched the new "Extraordinary Experience" tagline in the US in a 60-second commercial at Super Bowl LI in February 2017. The new tagline replaces Lexus's previous slogan, "The Pursuit of Perfection".
On March 30, 2018, Lexus aired a fake partnership with 23 and Me over a place on Saturday Night Live, for a fake program that allowed shoppers to customize vehicles based on their DNA, as an April Fool's joke.
Lexus slogan
- Unimpeded Pursuit of Perfection (2001-2010)
- The Pursuit of Perfection (2010-2016)
- Amazing Experience (2017-present)
See also
- Championship by Lexus
- Slide (hoverboard)
References
Note
Bibliography
- Dawson, Chester (2004). Lexus: Unrestricted Pursuit . Hoboken, NJ: Jon Wiley & amp; Children. ISBNÃ, 0-470-82110-8
- Long, Brian (2001). Lexus: Challenges for Creating the Best Car . Dorchester, Dorset, UK: Veloce Publishing. ISBNÃ, 1-901295-81-8
- Mahler, Jonathan (2004). The Lexus Story: The Behind the Scenes Story of # 1 Brand of Automotive Luxury in America . New York: Melcher Media. ISBN: 0-9717935-7-3. Ã,
- May, Matthew E. (2006). Elegant Solution: Toyota's Formula to Master Innovation . Forward by Kevin Roberts. New York: Free Press. ISBNÃ, 0-7432-9017-8. LCCNÃ, 2006048411.
- Morgan, James M.; Liker, Jeffrey K. (2006). Toyota Product Development System: Integrating People, Processes and Technology . New York: A productive press. ISBNÃ, 1-56327-282-2
External links
- Official website (Japan)
- Official website (choose by country)
- Lexus in Curlie (based on DMOZ)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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