Toyota's Billion Dollar Bet To Destroy German Luxury | The Story Of Lexus

No single car brand was able to mesh the ‘bank vault’ coachwork of a Mercedes, with the ride quality of a Rolls-Royce
The power of a muscle car with the durability of a Hilux.
The road manners of a BMW, at import commuter pricing.

Until this one came along.
This is the story of how the most risk averse car maker bet it all - risked EVERYTHING…
to do what their competitors thought was impossible, and build a new car - a new BRAND that would in turn unveil some of the highest quality automobiles the world has ever seen.

This is the story of Lexus. - The billion dollar gamble.

#lexus #toyota #carhistory

Business Inquiries:

Our best videos aren't out yet! Subscribe so you won't miss a thing!
Ideal Cars is at the center of shifting the way next generation car enthusiasts buy, drive and enjoy Ideal Cars!

00:00 Introduction
00:40 Chapter I
02:00 Chapter II
03:35 Chapter III
04:49 Chapter IV
08:24 Chapter V
10:35 Chapter VI

[DKJ]

Bought a 1998 ES300. I sold it in 2012 with 287, 778 miles to a kid for $500. He told me he has 400, 000 miles + on it. The reliability of these automobiles are insane.

[pastperformance]

Easily identified design and a joy to drive while not being too fussy. Always one of our three vehicles, Lexus.

[nintense]

No Lexus documentary should skip the GS400, which was the first sports sedan for the brand, and the fastest full size sedan in the world when introduced in 1998.

[johnschmitt]

Great story about how persistence and commitment almost always pay off. The amount of dedication Yuki had to his company is absolutely legendary. Love em or hate em you have to respect Toyota and their automobiles.

[kl]

The reliability and real world luxury put lexus to the top.
We have had three generations of RX and IS over 15 years.
No issues at all.

[mithrandir]

I always felt the Cressida was the first Lexus without being a Lexus... Great Car!

[brianflores]

I know I’m talking enthusiast here but I had an original 1991 Toyota Celsior (Yes the RHD not LS400) and it was an absolute joy to drive. Then I went exhaust on it and OMG it sounds soooo good! So much went into making it quite but my question is why? It sounds as nice as it looks, honestly!

[hopebear]

I love my old IS200. 340, 000 kilometres and everything works with good fuel economy too. So comfortable!

[atlegangletsoge]

Why is the titile saying "And lost" While clearly the company is still striving. Yes it might've lost a bit with the LFA but anything else is just great. BTW, great story. Perfect for this saturday Afternoon😘. Great videos hands down😍

[malthecreator_]

My mom gave me her 2013 gs350 fsport. My favorite car ever . I have like 200k miles on it and it’s runs so beautifully! Go Lexus!

[Wrekkshoppe]

Man, I've driven TOO MANY damn Lexus' to count over the decades. It's arguably my favorite car brand.

[rmooreyris]

I have been a proud Lexus owner for many years. My experience has always been great without issues from any Lexus of owned. Had: 1996 LS400, 2006 LS430, 2010 RX350 and 2017 GS-F. All excellent cars.

[hancho]

I love the LFA my dream is to one day own a LC500 I had a is250 and I fell in love I drove in a isf and I think that is enough for what a car should be I love Toyota the Lexus division is the best . That’s why Toyota stay on the top for being the most successful car company

[FullTimeGT]

Very well made documentary. Thanks to the team, well done!

[alexlarson]

This car scared the competition.And as if the LS400 didn't alone scare the crap out of rivals, Toyota then emulated and applied the new standards, stamping and tooling advancements, tolerances and built the 1992 XV10 Camry to Lexus standards, emulating the design language, proportions and bubble shape of the LS400, as did the 1993 AE101 Corolla. The idea of applying industry-benchmark standards to a mid-segment midsize family car and compact economy car was absolutely insane. The models had to be decontented in later generations, making those gen Camry/Corolla unicorns. When competitors saw Toyota apply the influences of engineering to their mainstream non luxury products, they sh*t themselves. The XV10 is what set Camry's reputation, and the reputation and best-selling status is credited to the UCF10 LS400 influences of the 3rd gen, in looks and standards. People wanting a "poor-man's LS400". It is incredible how revolutionary this car truly was. When people bash Lexus for looking like a "fancy Camry" what they don't understand is the Lexus was a completely bespoke flagship, and by leading the entire corporation to Toyota, the redesigns of the mainstream cars were influenced by the LS400, so the resemblance is reverse of how people think. People that believe Lexus is a rip off are not mechanical engineers. I am a Lean process and Mechanical engineer. This car inspired me to become a mechanical/aerospace engineer

[maestro]

The LFA is my favorite car of all time. I own a modified 2013 GS350 rwd. Best car I've ever driven.

[skinnypotato]

Bro, they literally boosted the economy of Japan during an economic downhill, and continues to keep it strong. I dont think they lost

[salsadams]

It doesn’t how long it will take, I will have the LFA even if I have to dig up the producers after death..I live for that Yamaha symphonic sounds .

[sjrp]

After having my Mercedes towed by the same tow truck driver 3 times, he told me the only car I don’t tow is a Lexus. This was in 2000. I haven’t driven anything else since then and with the two, RXs I’ve owned in that time, I never replaced a single light bulb in the car or brakes.

[glarrettvlerdone]

used to have a 1999 avalon XLS. every mechanic i ever took it too told me it was “an LS in disguise”. i wish i had kept it. the v6 in that thing could MOVE!