in 1989. Toyota, with Lexus in tow, has become an absolute powerhouse in the international auto industry, currently valued somewhere around $250 billion.

Recently, Toyota even dethroned General Motors as the #1 selling automaker in the US, which hasn’t happened since 1931. This was made possible by the affordability of their vehicles, their extensive catalog of luxury options like Lexus, and their commitment to reliable, long-lasting, and budget-friendly vehicles like the award-winning

Camry

and

RAV4

models.

What other makes does Toyota own?

Unlike competitors Volkswagen AG and the Stellantis Group, Toyota has traditionally stayed away from mergers and buyouts with other auto brands. It developed Lexus in-house as opposed to buying a pre-existing company.

Toyota does not own any other makes besides Lexus, although it does have a small stake in both

Suzuki

and

Subaru

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Where are Lexus made?

Lexus’s parent company, Toyota, is headquartered in Japan, with the majority of Lexus manufacturing taking place there. There are currently 10 international plants that build the various Lexus models, including facilities in Canada, the United States, and India.

Here are some of the major Lexus manufacturing facilities along with the models they produce:

Tahara Plant, Japan:

Kokura Plant, Japan:

Tsutsumi Plant, Japan:

Most popular Lexus models are manufactured at one of their seven Japanese plants. However, the ES model is also produced in factories in India and

Georgetown, Kentucky

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A short history of Lexus ownership

Lexus was developed by Toyota and has been owned by them since the very beginning.

In 1983, celebrated auto magnate and Toyota chairman, Eiji Toyoda, issued his company the challenge to “build the world’s best car.” A team was quickly assembled to work on the design, engineering, and marketing for the new auto brand.

Over the next few years, other competing Japanese automakers began to introduce their luxury line of vehicles, beginning when

Honda

introduced its higher-priced

Acura

marque in 1986.

Nissan

followed suit the next year with its luxury

Infiniti

line. The pressure was on for the Lexus team.

Finally, in 1989, the project was completed by a team that included:

60 designers

24 engineering teams

1,400 engineers

2,300 technicians

220 support workers

In addition, the process involved more than 450 prototypes and cost more than $1 billion.

The Lexus LS 400 debuted at the 1989 North American International Auto Show in

Detroit

, where it received praise for its design, value, and performance.

It quickly racked up both a devoted following and awards from multiple publications, including Wheels Magazine and Automobile Magazine. Car and Driver even listed it as a better alternative to certain BMW and Mercedes-Benz models. US sales figures for BMW and Mercedes dropped 29% and 19% (respectively) after the Lexus debut.

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How to save money on Lexus insurance

Since its debut in 1989, Lexus has stood as a well-regarded and affordable alternative to luxury brands like

Mercedes-Benz

and BMW. It’s still a luxury car, though, so you’ll want to make sure you protect it with a good

car insurance

policy. Not only can

trustworthy insurance comparison app

Jerry help you find one, we’ll also make sure it's the best and most affordable option for you and your vehicle.

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We’ll walk you through the whole thing, and we can even help cancel your old policy if you find a new one you like better. We saved the best for last, though, because Jerry customers save an average of more than $800 a year on their car insurance!