Does Toyota Truly Own the Lexus Car Brand?

Toyota is among the global leaders in the automotive industry. Like other car companies, it also parents a luxury brand known as Lexus. But are Toyota and Lexus models made by the same manufacturer? What brands does Toyota Motor Corporation own and is Lexus still one of them to date?

Here’s what you should know concerning Toyota and Lexus’ relationship to date.

Are Toyota and Lexus One Brand?

As Honda is to Acura and Nissan is to Infiniti, so is Toyota to Lexus. Lexus is the luxury segment under the umbrella of the Toyota parent company. So we know that Toyota owns Lexus, sure. But how similar are the two brands?

Toyota and Lexus are not technically the same manufacturer. Lexus is a luxury brand that shares platforms and components with Toyota models. In fact, Lexus models are even produced in Toyota factories in North America and Japan.

Lexus models are in many ways a fancy version of corporate cousin Toyotas. For example, the 2021 Land Cruiser Prado and the 2021 Lexus GX460 share a platform. So really, when you think about where and how both Lexus and Toyota models are produced they are basically the same manufacturer. However, they remain two separate entities. Two separate brands.

Toyota & Lexus: Which is Better for Upgrade?

Critics put the two brands head to head in a study. When it comes to which of them to purchase, it really depends on what the buyer is looking for and how much money they can comfortably spend on a vehicle.

Lexus pulls ahead in categories like performance and luxury interior amenities. Both brands offer safe, reliable cars. It may not always be worth the luxury pricing to opt for a Toyota. After all, Lexus and Toyota models do share platforms. Additionally, Toyota increasingly adds upscale features to its lineup enhanced audio systems, and leather interior to name a couple.

When Did Lexus First Launch?

According to Lexus, the first Lexus model was released in 1989. The Japanese luxury brand hit the scene with two sedans––the Lexus LS 400 and the Lexus ES 250. Since then, Toyota’s luxury segment has grown in success over the years.

Obviously, Lexus has been doing something right. Lexus models continue to earn praise and awards in key areas such as safety and reliability.

What Other Car Brands Does Toyota Own?

Consumer Reports has a handy list of which companies own which car brands. Toyota Motor Corporation owns, of course, Toyota. It also owns its luxury segment Lexus. But does Toyota own any brands other than Toyota and Lexus?

At one point, a brand called Scion also fell under the ownership of Toyota Motor Corp. However, the interest didn’t hold for Scion models. Ultimately Toyota decided to discontinue Scion and integrate the models into the Toyota lineup.

These days, Toyota has a large focus on mobility in general. It streamlines its efforts in the automotive world into Toyota and Lexus models. Currently, Toyota Motor Co. is making efforts toward an electrified future for both Toyota and Lexus models.