Lexus is a luxury brand of the Japanese automaker Toyota. Lexus has earned a good reputation for producing refined vehicles. In 1983, Toyota Chairman Eiji Toyoda set out the challenge to create the world's best car. Then, the company established a project called F1. It developed the Lexus LS 400 and a new V8 engine. F1's designers aimed their new cars at the international market. In the 1980s, other Japanese automobile manufacturers launched their luxury marques in the US. That affected Toyota's plan for a premium division.
In May 1985, Toyota researchers visited the US. They did market research on American upper-class consumers. They concluded that they need a separate brand and sales channel to show their new coupe. They also planned to develop a new dealer network in the US market. The F1 project was completed in 1989. It involved 450 prototypes and other Lexus parts. This project introduced the Lexus LS 400. The car used a new 4.0 L V8 gasoline engine and rear-wheel drive. The motor made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 1989. It also meant that the brand was founded. It went on sale in September at 81 new Lexus dealerships in the United States. The critics spoke highly of its ride comfort, performance, handling, and Lexus OEM parts. The smaller ES 250 was sold with the flagship sedan.
In 1991, the division introduced the SC 400. It was the company's first sports coupe. It shared some parts of the LS 400s. After that, ES 300 sedan replaced its first generation. It became Lexus' top seller that year. The corporation launched the mid-size GS 300 sports sedan in 1993. The car was based on Aristo. In 1998, the RX was added to the marque's lineup. It was Lexus' first crossover SUV. Suburban buyers were its target consumers. Because of its great quality and parts, it became the top-selling model in the year. At that time, the firm also found a market in South America.
In 2005, it became a separate organization from its parent company. It began to have its own design, engineering, and manufacturing centers. And it also started to produce vehicles, accessories, and Lexus parts in other countries.