30 Cool Facts about Lexus and Its First 30 Years
21. Lexus is one of the leaders in carbon-fiber technology
When the company had been developing on the LFA supercar, it created the world’s first 3D carbon-fiber loom. “Conventional carbon fiber, already a wonder material, wasn’t up to our standards,” the company says. “So we invented a special loom that was able to create a circular weave exactly to our specifications.”
22. The most expensive package on the 2019 Lexus LS costs more than a Toyota C-HR
This package is called the “Executive Package with Kiriko Glass” and it costs $23,060 (the Toyota C-HR has an MSRP of $20,995). The pack includes Kiriko Glass interior door trim, 28-way power adjustable front seats with massage function, 22-way power adjustable rear seats with massage function, Climate Concierge and more.
23. The seventh-generation Lexus ES was the first mass-produced vehicle to feature digital side-view mirrors
However, this feature is available on the Japanese ES models only. Lexus claims that digital mirrors improve the aerodynamics of a vehicle and also enhance the driver’s visibility.
24. Eighty percent of Lexus’ customers own Apple devices
Lexus is a premium brand. Meanwhile, Apple is a technology brand. However, Apple follows the business strategies of a luxury brand. Naturally, the Lexus customers are attracted toward the products of the Silicon Valley giant.
25. For the ES launch in Europe, Lexus produced the first-ever advert written by AI
Lexus collaborated with Visual Voice, IBM and The&Partnership London for the project. Meanwhile, the advert has been directed by Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald.
26. Akio Toyoda is a hardcore racer
Toyota owns Lexus, and Toyota’s CEO is Akio Toyoda, who is a hardcore race-car driver. In fact, his driving proficiency is such that many Toyota employees call him the ‘master driver’. “I am the ultimate filter for the taste of Toyota and Lexus cars,” he said in an interview.
27. In 2012, Chika Kako became the first female chief engineer at Lexus
She led the development teams of the UX urban crossover and the CT200h facelift. At present, Chika Kako is the Executive Vice President at Lexus International. She joined the Toyota Motor Company in 1989 and had studied chemistry in college.
28. Lexus’ President is a Toyota lifer
His name is Yoshihiro Sawa and he has been working at Toyota since April 1980. Interestingly, this means Sawa had joined Toyota nine years before the latter created Lexus. Like Akio Toyoda, Sawa is a self-professed driving enthusiast.
29. In 2020: A Lexus driven by robots
Akio Toyoda wants Toyota to be the leader in autonomous technologies. To that end, Lexus will launch a vehicle with highly-advanced self-driving capabilities next year.
30. Lexus wants to become a luxury lifestyle brand
This is why Lexus has increased its performance car portfolio. It now offers eight F Sport models and two F Performance models (RC F and GS F). Similarly, it has been working on a luxury yacht called the LY650. And it has launched numerous concept stores, called Intersect by Lexus. “[It] is a place where creative minds meet and share ideas; where inspired people intersect with sublime expressions of culture to experience amazing,” says the company.
