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Is Lexus still owned by Toyota?

Yes, Lexus is still owned by Toyota. Lexus is Toyota's luxury vehicle division, and has been since the brand was launched in 1989. Toyota has maintained full ownership and control of the Lexus brand over the past three decades.


The Lexus Brand and Its Relationship to Toyota


Lexus was established by Toyota in 1989 as its luxury vehicle division, designed to compete with other premium automotive brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Cadillac. Lexus was created to give Toyota a stronger presence in the lucrative luxury car market.


Since its inception, Lexus has remained a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota. The Lexus brand, models, and dealerships are all controlled and operated by Toyota. Lexus vehicles are designed, engineered, and manufactured by Toyota, though they are marketed and sold separately from Toyota's mainstream brand.


Lexus' Role Within the Toyota Automotive Group


Lexus serves as Toyota's flagship luxury division, allowing the company to compete directly with other premium automakers. Lexus models are typically more expensive, more powerful, and more feature-rich than their Toyota counterparts, while still sharing many underlying components and technologies.



  • Lexus provides Toyota with a presence in the highly profitable luxury vehicle segment.

  • The Lexus brand helps enhance Toyota's overall reputation for quality, reliability, and craftsmanship.

  • Lexus sales and profits contribute significantly to Toyota's overall financial performance.


Despite being a separate brand, Lexus remains an integral part of Toyota's global automotive operations and strategy. Toyota has maintained full ownership and control of Lexus since the brand's inception over 30 years ago.

Who owns Lexus now?


Lexus is owned by the Toyota Motor Corporation and is headquartered in Japan alongside Toyota. Lexus models were primarily built in Japan until 2003, when the Lexus RX 330 was built in Ontario. The Lexus brand has manufacturing plants all over the world producing luxury vehicles for Brandon drivers to enjoy.



Do Lexus use Toyota engines?


Although Lexus vehicles' interiors and exteriors differ from Toyotas', they almost always have a Toyota engine under the hood. Still, this is great news for Lexus drivers because Toyota engines are one of the most reliable ones in existence.



Is a Lexus basically a Toyota?


Toyota does own the Lexus lineup of Lexus car models and SUVs, but the two brands operate independently with headquarters in separate cities. Toyota is headquartered in Toyota City, while Lexus remains in Nagoya. So who makes Lexus cars?



Does Toyota fully own Lexus?


Lexus is a division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.