What brand does Toyota own?
Toyota Motor Corporation, one of the world's largest automakers, owns the Lexus brand of luxury vehicles. Lexus was launched in 1989 as Toyota's premium brand, targeting the luxury vehicle market.
Lexus as Toyota's Luxury Brand
Lexus was established by Toyota in 1989 as a separate luxury division to compete with other premium automotive brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Cadillac. Lexus vehicles are designed, engineered, and manufactured by Toyota, but marketed and sold as a distinct luxury brand.
The Lexus lineup includes sedans, SUVs, coupes, and hybrid models that are positioned as more upscale and premium compared to Toyota's mainstream vehicle offerings. Lexus has become one of the top-selling luxury automotive brands worldwide, known for its focus on quality, reliability, and customer service.
History of Lexus
Toyota launched the Lexus brand in 1989 with the debut of the Lexus LS 400 sedan, which was designed to compete with established luxury marques. The Lexus brand was created to help Toyota gain a foothold in the lucrative and competitive luxury vehicle market.
- Lexus was initially only sold in the United States, but has since expanded to other global markets.
- Over the years, Lexus has introduced a wide range of luxury vehicles, including SUVs, coupes, and hybrid models.
- Lexus has consistently been ranked among the top luxury automotive brands in terms of quality, customer satisfaction, and reliability.
By owning the Lexus brand, Toyota has been able to leverage its engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities to produce high-end luxury vehicles that appeal to a different customer base than its mainstream Toyota models.
What luxury brand does Toyota own?
Toyota's primary luxury brand is Lexus, but it also has the ultra-luxury Century brand, which is being spun off as a separate, top-tier marque to compete with brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Lexus remains the main premium brand, while Century will exist above it in the hierarchy.
- Lexus: This has been Toyota's long-standing luxury division, a premium brand marketed in over 90 countries. It offers a wide range of vehicles, from compact SUVs to sedans.
- Century: Historically, the Century has been Toyota's most luxurious model, largely for Japan's royal family and dignitaries. Recently, Toyota announced Century would become a standalone brand to target the ultra-luxury market, with a goal of competing with European ultra-luxury brands.
Does Toyota own BMW?
No, Toyota does not own BMW. BMW is owned by the BMW Group, which also owns the brands Mini and Rolls-Royce. Toyota Motor Corp. owns Toyota and Lexus, and has stakes in Subaru, Mazda, and other companies. While they are separate companies, Toyota and BMW have collaborated on some projects, like the development of the Supra and Z4 sports cars.
- Toyota: Toyota Motor Corp. owns the Toyota and Lexus brands.
- BMW: The BMW Group owns BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce.
- Collaboration: The two companies have a technology alliance and co-developed the Supra and Z4 sports cars, but they remain separate entities with distinct philosophies and ownership structures.
Does Toyota own Yamaha?
No, Toyota does not own Yamaha. However, Toyota is a major shareholder in Yamaha Motor Corporation and the two companies have a long-standing technical partnership. Toyota holds about a 3.8% stake in Yamaha Motor, which is a minority share that allows for strategic cooperation and access to technical expertise without full corporate control. Yamaha Motor's largest shareholder is its parent company, Yamaha Corporation, which is known for making musical instruments.
- Ownership: Yamaha Motor is not owned by Toyota. Yamaha Corporation is its largest shareholder.
- Partnership: Toyota and Yamaha Motor have collaborated since the 1960s, primarily on developing high-performance engines for vehicles such as the Toyota 2000GT and the Lexus LFA.
- Toyota's Stake: Toyota Motor Corporation holds a minority stake of approximately 3.8% in Yamaha Motor Corporation.
- Strategic Alliance: This ownership structure is a strategic alliance, not a full acquisition, allowing both companies to maintain their independence while benefiting from shared technical knowledge.
What other brand is made by Toyota?
Toyota Motor Corporation, a global car company based in Toyota City, Japan owns Toyota. They are behind Toyota and Lexus brands. On top of that, Toyota owns large shares in other automakers like Subaru, Suzuki, and Daihatsu.
