Is Lexus part of Toyota?
Yes, Lexus is a luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. Lexus was launched in 1989 as Toyota's premium brand, offering high-end vehicles that compete with other luxury car manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi.
The Relationship Between Lexus and Toyota
Lexus was established by Toyota in order to create a separate luxury division that could compete more effectively in the premium vehicle market. While Lexus vehicles are designed, engineered, and manufactured by Toyota, they are marketed and sold as a distinct brand with their own unique styling, features, and customer experience.
Despite being a separate brand, Lexus is wholly owned by Toyota and shares many of the same underlying technologies, platforms, and components as Toyota vehicles. This allows Lexus to leverage Toyota's extensive engineering resources and manufacturing capabilities while still maintaining a distinct identity and positioning in the luxury automotive segment.
Key Differences Between Lexus and Toyota
- Branding and Marketing: Lexus has its own unique branding, marketing, and dealership network separate from Toyota's mainstream brand.
- Vehicle Design and Engineering: Lexus vehicles are designed with a greater emphasis on luxury, performance, and refinement compared to their Toyota counterparts.
- Customer Experience: Lexus dealers provide a more premium customer service experience, with amenities like complimentary loaner cars, valet service, and dedicated Lexus-trained technicians.
- Pricing and Positioning: Lexus vehicles are priced and positioned as premium luxury products, competing with other luxury brands, while Toyota focuses on the mainstream automotive market.
Despite these differences, Lexus and Toyota share many common components, technologies, and manufacturing processes, allowing the two brands to leverage each other's strengths and capabilities.
