Lexus celebrates 20th anniversary
September 2, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Lexus, Toyota’s luxury car manufacturer, will today celebrate its 20th anniversary.
The first Lexus, the LS 400, was released on this day back in 1989 with roots stemming back to a project that began some six years earlier.
The idea was that Toyota could take on the world’s best and win, and what seemed like a big idea at the time has two decades later become very much the norm with Lexus widely accepted as one of the world’s best luxury automotive brands.
So to Lexus from all of us here at CarAdvice, many happy returns!
Print it: 
Celebrating a 20th anniversary with no more than a posh Prius. What a shame…
Looking at the car above, how on earth did they get so far in just twenty years when the first five years looked like that?
Alex, back to 1999, LS400 (pic above) is quite handsome. ALso Lexus sells quality rather than look.
Actually, it was 1989 and I didn’t like it back then either. We had one for a few months in 1995 when I was a kid and we were living in New York for a little while. I remember thinking it looked a lot like a Cadillac of the time and it looked quite cheap as well. My father hated it but he took it because it was a work car.
And it’s fair to say that they sell quality rather than look, but why does it have to be one or the other? Mercedes manage, as do BMW and Audi or any other number of brands.
Unlike you, Alex, consumers voted with their heads, which resulted in the Lexus LS400 becoming the best selling luxury car in the US. But then again, you were a little kid back in the day who probably thought the Nazi Party was an organisation akin to the Red Cross.
Two thums up for you Damian.
Good post !!!
I am sorry to ask you this Alex, are you paid to write “anything against” Toyota/Lexus? I have been reading your comments on different post. If you don’t like a brand just don’t bash it with wrong information. All brand has its pros and cons. I drive car of more than one brand and they are Japanese on daily basis and I am fan of them and there are many people out there who has there own choice, but no one bashing around against what they don’t like.
It seems you are biased towards British marques and you comment says you are a British. I don’t want to be rude but the fact is that the marques you Great British people feel proud of are not even owned by the Great British people any more. Now this could/will open another debate which no one wants here. What I really want to say is that have some respect in your future comments please don’t just bash around any brand.
Sorry for long comment
Congrats Lexus.
Lexus has proven itself to be a quality manufacturer with high levels of attention to detail. If I wanted to own a car for 10 years with a minimum of fuss, this would be the first manufacturer I would consider. (If i was going to keep a car for 3 to 5 years, then maybe a BMW).
Perfection in build, but the bmw drive would be miles ahead .
The buyers of luxury cars change often so its a lost cause , i would rather have a fun time for 3 years than drive a hearse for 10 years
Well done Lexus.
“The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection.”
Yes Lexus have done well, considering they were originally only meant for the US Market, hence the name LEXUS ( Luxury Export US). Now they are a global brand.
nice.. I didnt now that.
didn’t know that!
This makes me feel old.
Could you share how many unit Lexus sales in Australia. I read in http://indonesia-cars.com/746/.....-89-units/ already books 150 unit sales in Indonesia up to July 2009.