An Inside Look at Lexus’ Shimoyama Technical Center
Inside Lexus' new global headquarters.
Michael · October 14th, 2024
Latest News
The Latest on Lexus in India
The Financial Express reports on the fledgling operation in India.
Lexus Switch to Full-Electric Hits a Snag
Some vehicles have already been delayed.
Kevin · October 24th, 2022
Two Upcoming Lexus Supercars Could Pack V8, EV Power
One supercar for 2025, another for 2030 and beyond.
Michael · July 26th, 2022
Lexus Trademarks TX 550h+
A powerful plug-in hybrid CUV is in the works.
Michael · March 21st, 2022
CNET Looks at Lexus Product Placement in Moonfall Movie
"A supporting character is the owner of a Lexus dealership, and there's a whole scene set in the showroom."
John Voelcker on the Electrification of Toyota & Lexus
A thoughtful take on where the Japanese corporation is heading.
Wait List for New Toyota Landcruiser is 4 Years Long in Japan
The official Japanese website confirms it, will this affect production of the new Lexus LX?
Detroit Bureau Q&A with Scott Pruett
The retired racecar driver and Lexus ambassador discusses his involvement developing the LC and working with Akio Toyoda.
Lexus Ranks #1 in J.D. Power Brand Loyalty Study
Third consecutive year in the top spot.
Michael · July 17th, 2021
Why Lexus’ Recent Patent Is NOT A Twin-Turbo V8
The truth hides within the details of the patent filing.
Michael · May 8th, 2021
LS 500h “Advanced Drive” Launches in Japan
Mobility Teammate Concept comes to production as "Advanced Drive."
Michael · April 8th, 2021
Lexus Tops 2021 J.D. Power Dependability Study
Top Placement for 9 out of the last 10 years.
Michael · February 19th, 2021
Lexus Struggles with “Cadence, Product, and Powertrain”
So says new Toyota North America CEO.
Kevin · May 18th, 2020
Lexus Shuts Down Most Manufacturing Around the World
Peace and love in these difficult times.
Joaquin Ruhi · March 26th, 2020
LC Chief Engineer Takes Over as Lexus President
A major executive shakeup.
Kevin · December 4th, 2019
Is Lexus Planning to Build an Executive Jet?
Akio says so.
Kevin · September 18th, 2019
Lexus President Sawa: “Every car has an individual character”
“We’re trying to create a new language".
Kevin · February 12th, 2019
INTERSECT by Lexus Opens in New York City
Café, restaurant, event space.
Kevin · November 16th, 2018
Certain 2006-2014 Lexus Models Recalled Over V6 Engine Issue
Certain IS 350, IS 350C, GS 350, GS 450h vehicles.
Kevin · June 26th, 2018
In Appreciation of the New Toyota Century
Japan-only limousine gets first update in 21 years.
Kevin · June 26th, 2018
Cool Hunting Interview with Lexus International President Yoshihiro Sawa
Excellent insight into Lexus design.
Kevin · June 19th, 2018
Vote for Lexus Design People’s Choice Award
Contest ends tomorrow night.
Kevin · April 20th, 2018
Lexus President Sawa Discusses Future of the Automotive Luxury
President Yoshihiro Sawa in a far-ranging interview.
Kevin · April 19th, 2018
CT Chief Engineer Chika Kako is New Lexus International Vice President
First female chief engineer in Toyota history will lead the Lexus brand.
Kevin · December 6th, 2017
Lexus USA Promises “14 New Products” in 2018
Let's take our best guess.
Kevin · December 6th, 2017
Lexus Safety System + Gets Upgrade for 2018
Features from the new LS will be introduced to other Lexus models.
Kevin · November 29th, 2017
Road & Track Profile: The Life & Times of Lexus LFA Master Driver Hiromu Naruse
A must-read article about legendary Toyota & Lexus test driver Hiromu Naruse.
Kevin · August 8th, 2017
Akio Toyoda & His Path to Becoming Lexus Master Driver
An excellent profile of Akio Toyoda from Hans Greimel of Automotive News.
Kevin · May 23rd, 2017
The Lexus Hoverboard: Coverage from Around the Web
To call the latest Lexus Hoverboard video a massive marketing success would be an understatement — it’s spread through all corners of the web, even my friends and family are posting about it on Facebook.
Kevin · August 5th, 2015
The Lexus Hoverboard Revealed
At long last, Lexus has released the full details on their much-hyped hoverboard — let’s start with the main video with skater Ross McGouran riding the board in Barcelona.
Kevin · August 4th, 2015
Lexus Hoverboard to be Revealed Next Week
Lexus continues to tease their Slide Hoverboard project with this new video clip.
Kevin · July 29th, 2015
Lexus Global Design Manager: An Interview with Takeshi Tanabe Part 3
The final part of my interview with Takeshi Tanabe, Global Design Manager for Toyota & Lexus.
Kevin · July 15th, 2015
Lexus Global Design Manager: An Interview with Takeshi Tanabe Part 2
Through a series of emails, I interviewed Takeshi Tanabe, the Manager of Global Design for both Toyota and Lexus, on a number of wide-ranging topics.
Kevin · July 14th, 2015
More Details on the Lexus Hoverboard
Wired Magazine has some new details on the Lexus Hoverboard, including an explanation on how the technology works and why Lexus built the board in the first place.
Kevin · July 9th, 2015
Lexus Hoverboard Skatepark Discovered in Barcelona
Last week, Lexus went viral with the announcement that they had created a fully functioning hoverboard, and now Spanish website El Patín has uncovered the skatepark where it’s all going to happen
Kevin · July 1st, 2015
Video: Lexus Creates Functional Hoverboard
Lexus has partnered with experts in super-conductive technology to create a real life hoverboard for their new Amazing in Motion marketing campaign — it’s all very crazy, let’s start off with the teaser video: The hoverboard uses liquid nitrogen cooled superconductors and permanent magnets to float above the ground, with a design that features the …
Kevin · June 23rd, 2015
Super GT Driver James Rossiter Travels to Fuji Speedway in a Lexus RC F
TOM’S Racing driver James Rossiter is driving a Lexus RC F to Fuji Speedway in advance of his August 8th race in the PETRONAS TOM’S RC F GT500.
Kevin · June 4th, 2015
Examining the Toyota New Global Architecture
While not Lexus-specific, this Motor Trend article on the Toyota New Global Architecture is definitely worth a read.
Kevin · May 26th, 2015
The Lexus YET Design Philosophy
Clicking around on the Lexus International website, I came across this excellent description of the brand’s design philosophy.
Kevin · May 19th, 2015
Chris Harris Slams Lexus F Performance Brand
In his latest editorial on Jalopnik, Chris Harris attacks the Lexus F performance brand and its apparent lack of focus.
Kevin · April 13th, 2015
Big Changes Coming to Lexus Vehicle Development
Toyota announced a massive restructuring of its vehicle manufacturing strategy today as part of the company's switch to a new modular development platform.
Kevin · March 26th, 2015
Toyota to Transform Scion into Small-Premium Brand?
Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz believes that Scion should become a small-premium brand, according to an interview with Wards Auto: “I still personally believe small-premium is the direction we should be going,” he tells WardsAuto in a recent interview here during a Toyota press event. “I think that (the) Toyota channel, itself, with vehicles …
Kevin · December 16th, 2014
Lexus to Offer New Safety Package Starting in 2015
Lexus has announced a new active safety package called the Lexus Safety System +, which will be offered on select models starting next year and on all models in Japan, North America, and Europe by 2017. Lexus Safety System + brings together four existing Lexus safety features and one new technology — here are videos …
Kevin · November 26th, 2014
Notes from the 2014 Lexus USA National Dealer Meeting
The Toyota Driver’s Seat blog has posted a recap of the recent Lexus USA National Dealer Meeting, which took place in Los Angeles and celebrated the brand’s 25th anniversary: There were enticing previews of commercials for the RC and NX, coming to Lexus showrooms within the next two months. There was Akio Toyoda inspiring …
Kevin · October 27th, 2014
Lexus Short Films 2014 Now Online
After a summer making the rounds at international film festivals around the world, this year’s Lexus Short Films are now available for viewing online. Operation Barn Owl The first film is Operation Barn Owl, directed by Satuski Okawa and co-written by Ken Ochiai. The story is tough to describe without giving too much away — …
Kevin · October 27th, 2014
Lexus Announces Recall for Fuel Delivery Pipe Issue
Lexus has announced a recall of select Lexus models due to an issue with the fuel delivery pipe. The models affected are the IS 250, IS 250 C, IS F, GS 300, GS 460, GS 450h, LS 600h, LS 600hL and LS 460 manufactured between January 2005 and September 2010. Lexus has found that some …
Kevin · October 15th, 2014
Video: The Inspiration Behind the Lexus Color Palette
Here’s a Lexus International video profile of color designer Momoko Okamoto, who’s responsible for many of the unique colors used on Lexus models: (I might have seen a glimpse of the now-discontinued Daybreak Yellow exterior color used on the CT 200h — could you imagine that color on an IS or NX?)
Kevin · October 10th, 2014
What is Lexus Planning for its 25th Anniversary?
Tucked away in this video from the NX consumer launch in Tokyo is a curious statement from Lexus International executive vice-president Mark Templin: For those that missed it, here’s the quote: “Just wait for some of the great things we have coming for our 25th anniversary.” Lexus will officially celebrate its 25th anniversary in October, …
Kevin · September 28th, 2014
Toyota President Akio Toyoda Takes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Surprise of the day — here’s Toyota president Akio Toyota participating in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a social media charity campaign, where participants record themselves being dunked in ice-cold water in order to raise awareness of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” So far, the campaign …
Kevin · August 22nd, 2014
Lexus Short Films 2014: The World Premiere in Tokyo
Last year, I attended the Lexus Short Films world premiere at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles. Produced by The Weinstein Company, it was a showcase of young and upcoming filmmakers asked to create a story around the theme “Life is Amazing”. Two of the five produced films were shown at the premiere, and while …
Kevin · June 6th, 2014
Riding Along in Google’s Self-Driving Lexus RX 450h
Casey Newton of The Verge recently spent an afternoon riding around the Bay Area in Google’s self-driving Lexus RX 450h: It’s a warm day in Mountain View, and just outside the Computer History Museum, Lexus SUVs are pulling up to the curb. The Lexus RX450h is a beautiful car, but today my eye travels immediately …
Kevin · May 16th, 2014
Lexus: An XCAR Video History
XCAR Films has put together a nice video retrospective on Lexus and its history: It’s all very high-level and the facts well known, but it’s still a nice way to spend ten minutes on a Friday afternoon. Have a great weekend everyone!
Kevin · May 2nd, 2014
Google Makes Improvements to Self-Driving Lexus RX 450h
Google has made some significant improvements to their self-driving car, which just so happens to be a Lexus RX 450h: The level of intelligence and capability of these Google vehicles is astounding — very easy to see a future where self-driving cars make up the majority of vehicles on the road. (Worth pointing out that …
Kevin · May 1st, 2014
New Lexus President Tokuo Fukuichi Shares Details on Future Plans
The Lexus UK blog has an interview with newly named Lexus International president Tokuo Fukuichi: Q: Will you push Lexus design even more strongly now you are the overall president too? A: Tokuo Fukuichi: From now on I don’t want to create nice designs, I want to create impressive designs, ones that remain in minds. …
Kevin · April 17th, 2014
Lexus DESIGN AMAZING Exhibit Opens at 2014 Milan Design Week
The Lexus Design Amazing exhibit opened today at Milan Design Week 2014 in Italy: Included in the exhibit are new works by three world renowned designers, who were tasked with creating an experience based on the Lexus “Amazing in Motion” theme.
Kevin · April 8th, 2014
Toyota Reaches $1.2 Billion Settlement in U.S. Investigation
Toyota will pay $1.2 billion to settle a U.S Justice Department criminal investigation into the carmaker’s handling of recalls linked with unintended acceleration nearly five years ago — from GoAuto: As a part of the deal – involving the largest criminal penalty paid by a car-maker in US history – Toyota will acknowledge wrongdoing, while …
Kevin · March 24th, 2014
New Lexus President on the Brand’s Design Future
Automotive News editor Dave Guilford had a chance to sit down with Tokuo Fukuichi, who takes over as president of Lexus International on April 1: In an interview at the Geneva auto show, Fukuichi, speaking through an interpreter, parried a question about Lexus’ design future by saying, “The honest and frank answer is we really …
Kevin · March 18th, 2014
Lexus Creates 3D RC F Interactive Print Ad for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Lexus has a special print ad in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue that creates a 3D interactive environment when viewed with an iPad — here’s a video example: Very cool use of technology in a print ad, for sure, but let’s take focus on the sixth color of this particular screen: Ok, Lexus enthusiasts — …
Kevin · March 2nd, 2014
Lexus International Leadership Changes
Changes to the Lexus International executive management team have been announced, with current executive vice-president Tokuo Fukuichi taking over as president. Fukuichi-san, who is also the design chief for Toyota & Lexus models, will be the first designer to lead the Lexus brand. He has also been named to the Toyota board of directors. Current …
Kevin · February 27th, 2014
INTERSECT BY LEXUS New York to Open in 2015
The Villager reports that the New York INTERSECT BY LEXUS gallery space will be located at 411 W. 14th St. in the Meatpacking district. Like the first INTERSECT in Tokyo, the space will be designed by Masamichi Katayama and his company Wonderwall, and is expected to share much of the same look & feel. INTERSECT …
Kevin · February 13th, 2014
Lexus Takes New Approach in Global Expansion
Automotive News has an update on how Lexus is approaching new markets around the world: The brand is slowly rolling out in Central and South America, with one store each in Brazil, Chile, Peru and Panama. A Lexus store just opened in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Lexus is expanding in the sprawling Chinese …
Kevin · February 7th, 2014
Lexus Design Award 2014 Winners Announced
Lexus has announced the twelve winners of the 2014 Lexus Design Awards, the brand’s second annual international design competition. The designers of two winning entries will create prototypes of their designs in close collaboration with an assigned mentor — the first winner is Sebastian Scherer of Germany, who created Iris, a “handblown glass lamp with …
Kevin · January 30th, 2014
Toyota & BMW Finalize Agreement to Develop Sportscar Platform
BMW & Toyota have finalized an agreement to develop a joint platform for sportscars, according to Reuters: “We have agreed on a joint architecture for a sports car. What is important is that there will be two different vehicles that are authentic to the two brands,” Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung today quoted [BMW’s development chief Herbert] …
Kevin · January 6th, 2014
The Legacy of Toyota President & Lexus Founder Eiji Toyoda
It’s now been a week since the passing of former Toyota president & Lexus founder Eiji Toyoda, and today, James B. Treece from Automotive News has published an insightful memorial: When the Korean War broke out in 1950, the U.S. military decided that rather than scrap Toyota’s truck factories, as had been the Occupation’s plan, …
Kevin · September 23rd, 2013
Consumers Excited About Future of Lexus
According to a worldwide survey of 30,000 consumers by brand strategy firm Lippincott, Lexus has the best momentum in the entire automotive industry. The Momentum Index measures the number of consumers that believe a brand’s best days are in front of them over those who feel the opposite — here’s what the study had to …
Kevin · September 22nd, 2013
Eiji Toyoda, Toyota President & Lexus Founder, Dies at Age 100
Eiji Toyoda, the longest-serving president in the history of Toyota and the man responsible for the creation of the Lexus brand, died today at the age of 100. His legacy extends through every corner of Toyota’s success — under his leadership, the company grew to become the world’s biggest automaker and revolutionized modern manufacturing with …
Kevin · September 17th, 2013
Revised Recall Announced for 2010 Lexus HS 250h
Lexus has issued an update on last year’s recall of the 2010 HS 250h due to a revised fix.
Kevin · September 11th, 2013