Is a Toyota a Lexus? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

***Razo-E*** · 10-05-2002, 01:37 AM

i know Toyota makes Lexus, but does Toyota design a car, then rebadge it as a Lexus, or does it design the Lexus, then rebadge it as a Toyota?

or does it do both? i'm sure there are no LX470's in Japan...

4Aaron GE · 10-05-2002, 01:42 AM

They're Toyotas first. The Altezza came out before the IS300, etc.

***Razo-E*** · 10-05-2002, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Aaron GE

They're Toyotas first. The Altezza came out before the IS300, etc.

i know, but i read the SC430 ad, and it said "...we at Lexus designed..." or something like that...so, maybe they design it as the SC430, then rebadge it as the Soarer...

or do they develop them with both in mind?

or did i just answer my own question? :-?

Warped · 10-05-2002, 01:50 AM

Maybe Toyota of America (Haha...took a wild guess at their name) wants to fit in with all the other luxury makes. Generally speaking, I don't think there would be as much appeal for the es300 if it had, say, a toyota badge on it instead of a lexus one. Still the same car, just a different label so Americans would know what they're getting is different than the "average" Toyota.

***Razo-E*** · 10-05-2002, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warped

Maybe Toyota of America (Haha...took a wild guess at their name) wants to fit in with all the other luxury makes. Generally speaking, I don't think there would be as much appeal for the es300 if it had, say, a toyota badge on it instead of a lexus one. Still the same car, just a different label so Americans would know what they're getting is different than the "average" Toyota.

uh, that didnt answer my question...oh well...
i think the non Lexus ES300 is called the "camry" :P

4Aaron GE · 10-05-2002, 02:05 AM

Actually, that's the windom.

Warped · 10-05-2002, 02:07 AM

I think they're Toyotas first, then they slap the Lexus on there, since Toyota was probably made in Japan first. :P

I meant...a ES300 with a Toyota badge. Still the same car, luxuries and all, but with a different badge. Just commenting on how Toyota probably has to call their luxury line something else here in the U.S., cause Americans want to know they're getting something other than "just a Toyota". Was that any clearer? Or am I still rambling? :oops:

***Razo-E*** · 10-05-2002, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Aaron GE

Actually, that's the windom.

yeah, i know...

the RX300 is harrier, the LS is Celsor (i think), the SC is soarer, the IS is altezza, the Gs is Aristo...uh...i think that's it...

i dont think there are LX/GX 470's in japan...

Warped · 10-05-2002, 02:10 AM

I guess we're the only ones that have to have suv's?

***SCEPTER300RR*** · 10-05-2002, 04:48 AM

land cruisers!!! they are the 4x4's ...

Cor_LOW_la · 10-05-2002, 03:15 PM

sure it's Toyota first...

japan has NO Lexus..
all Lexus cars are Toyota bedged..

Lexus is just Toyota's another name for oversea market for high class cars..

ya.. ES300 = Windom
SC430 = Solara
IS200 = Altezza
GS430 = Aristo
LS430 = ???