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
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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

[@DKJ100]

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.

[@wanzacharywanisa5762]

That’s like super cheap.

[@DKJ100]

@@wanzacharywanisa5762 His mother was a good friend of my mother.

[@lengxiong3061]

That's why! There are called lexus...😁

[@mr2_mike]

Body will rust out before motor dies in today's Toyota world.

[@cncaliguy09]

That ES300 is basically a Camry with higher quality material. It is Hilux of sedans.

[@pastperformance2285]

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

[@IdealMediaChannel]

Now that’s an ideal choice!!

[@JeepCherokeeful]

Ugly design

[@hopebear06]

@@JeepCherokeeful You can always elect for surgery to fix that.

[@senadmusic8879]

Lexus is a bad copy of MB S class

[@kl9518]

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.

[@nintense1]

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.

[@IdealMediaChannel]

Youre right! Such an ideal sedan!

[@therealsyxx]

Yea I still drive a gs. I don't wanna give it up. So I'm getting a gsf lol

[@jonlee580]

I'm calling cap 🧢🧢🧢My CuZn had a gs400 and I would always kill him in my 97 750il..how could it be fastest full size sedan? And I'm pretty sure there was an M5 too around that time..u sure it's the fastest sedan???..

[@therealsyxx]

@@jonlee580 I dunno about the fastest. But it's definitely the most reliable. And of you look on the streets you see gs 400s from the 90s all the time. Not to many bemmers.

[@nintense1]

@@jonlee580 maybe your cousin had a broken GS400 (if it’s actually possible to break it), as the 750 rated as 6.7 seconds to 60. It also had less power and I believe more weight. The E39 M5 introduced a bit after the GS400, and was a lot faster, but the previous M5 was slower.

[@johnschmitt5259]

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.

[@mithrandir1313]

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

[@hopebear06]

My Cressida was indestructible.

[@bradkroboth5490]

They take motor swaps nicely too..Great cars

[@Wrekkshoppe]

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

[@hopebear06]

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

[@atlegangletsoge6165]

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😍

[@JoaoPedro-sb5sq]

Yea I was waiting for the tragic part of the video but there was none ???

[@IdealMediaChannel]

Lost the competition in the dust! Thanks for watching!

[@Sweet_Jelly39]

Sales are declining tho.. Even Genesis by Hyundai got better luxury interior (Btw Hyundai engine sucks tho' Pretty unreliable)

[@atlegangletsoge6165]

@@Sweet_Jelly39 and there I was thinking that Hyundai engines are reliable. But maybe since genesis is roughly new, they might improve overtime. Especially with EVs

[@____myocardial_infarction____]

LFA is one of Lexus's greatest creations! An Engineering marvel.. What set it back was the long period that they took to produce the car! Still the best sounding V8 out there!

[@salsadams3212]

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 .

[@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!

[@skinnypotato9525]

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

[@hancho8766]

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

[@brianflores6207]

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!

[@lifeofjelllo3596]

most luxury cars have sound deadening, so they practically had to for the sake of maintaining that luxury status

[@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.

[@kurtesparon6914]

The best thing about lexus is that they sometimes do joint ventures with other automotives

[@IdealMediaChannel]

like... yamaha?!? 👀

[@thisistherealkit]

*Toyota and i aint even mad

[@prajyotsharma9617]

@@thisistherealkit 😂😂😂

[@rmoore4yris]

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.

[@FullTimeGT]

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

[@henrytang2203]

At one stage, Lexus had the IS-F, an M3 rival. Not quite as good as the M3, but pretty damn close. It's a shame they didn't make a successor to that.

[@akatrex1094]

Is500 but yeah, not an F😢

[@hydroaegis6658]

The reason for the name change being taken as a personal inst was because it literally was. The Toyoda family were the CEO's and chairman of the company.

[@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!

[@stevenweigel6647]

Best Toyota

[@ngoctu2603]

I own one Avalon too. The engine was the best also everything else about that machine.

[@jayb9543]

Aaaah I remember those polish dealerships and also the "Taste of Lexus" event they use to have ever year in the late 90's in the DC area. They brought all of there cars and all of the competitors and let you drive all of them to show just how good theirs were. They even had complimentary dinning, live jazz band, the whole dog and pony show. Those were the days lol.

[@villainsneverdie5160]

Owning lexus is like having a beautiful wife with all qualities you can’t find in other women

[@maestro4287]

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

[@IdealMediaChannel]

Such an ideal car!

[@therealsyxx]

Yea I'm still in 1. I love my gs and it's never given me a single issue.

[@pitech4446]

a Tesla M3P can kill this this old junk car easy

[@darknesswolfx7205]

@@pitech4446 This old junk car can go a million miles without losing half its value unlike electric vehicles, easy

[@pitech4446]

@@darknesswolfx7205 who cares, can you afford it?? lol

[@purpplondon]

Huge fan of ideal media , keep up the good work guys

[@7Fields16llc]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate the content. Great work Idea Media.

[@IdealMediaChannel]

We appreciate the view!

[@MRMechanicRC]

Dude I just gotta say, that intro was incredible

[@charliewilson3528]

Great reinterpretation of and old story. And to add some applause. I drive a three decade old pristine lexus coupe to this day. 2jz baby

[@Prince_Cardo]

Is350 gang where you at

[@IdealMediaChannel]

Def an ideal car! ⚡️

[@hectorramirez6045]

Thanks for the video. Bought my first Lexus IS 300 in 2005 and ever since, all I buy is Toyota products. I though they were overrated vehicles , boy I was wrong . I work selling cars from all brands and in 15 years, Toyota has proven to be the #1 brand with the least amount of problems.

[@rushencole9902]

You are amazing… love the work

[@4theLoveofMusic2024]

Great documentary 👍 2 weeks ago I was at the Lexus dealership buying a new NX300 for my wife and there was a Lexus history chart on the wall. I was very surprise to see that it was named Lexis before it became Lexus.

[@iisreallughtkingsun4360]

Thanks for this video brother 👍✊✊

[@lostintheblues.986]

very good one here , mate

[@fuqsamsung4481]

Those Lexus at the end make me wanna get into Lexus but I still like infiniti better

[@nolesy34]

Will this be your choice forever?

[@consciousnessrenaissance7804]

I had a Toyota Matrix and now a Lexus …. I absolutely love Toyota cars 🎉❤🙏

[@BAFM510]

Great presentation!

[@cedrickvample4862]

Great show

[@CDN296]

Love the content . IS200 is my first car I paid for with my own money and love it , it not may be fast but it's fun to drive

[@adrees]

Wow. Top notch documentary info. Very nice.

[@IdealMediaChannel]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@taalamum]

Thank you! Inspiring presentation 👏

[@musayyabali6398]

Ls400 is one of my absolute dreams cars. Can't wait to own one someday. Lovely documentary too 👍 😊

[@PHwang-nh9pr]

I eventually bought the ls430 but I also had Toyota prius. By that time, I was so used to good gas milesage, LS 430 sucks too much gas even though I loved the car, I felt that it was gas guzzler... I dumped the car since I was getting like 17 -19 miles per gallon... Far lower than 50 miles per gallon with Prius. Two years ago I bought Lexus RX 450H, byrid because my experience with LS430. I highly recommend to buy hybrid due to economic of gas mileage. I am happy with gas mileage and comfort and qualify of the car. I bought used (2015 year with only 30,0000 miles) but had not car trouble issues.. :)

[@oreo_frito]

1:53 Yo thats a GOD tier joke lmaooo

[@andrewnguyen7737]

Currently own 2, 2006 Lexus SC430 and 2022 Lexus LC500, love every minute driving them…

[@dararitchao8367]

Still stuck with a '98 Lx470 with over 200k. Decided to part way with it a few times, but had to do one last drive before letting go. The question that kept arising is why do I need to sell it? There's nothing wrong with it.

[@hectorramirez6045]

Those things are tanks, don’t get rid of it

[@ashiq__]

Make this series for Genesis also, they are similar to Lexus as a luxury brand of a Mass producer

[@joshualarouche9205]

This was great 👍

[@SoonerStoneAI]

Lexus dealerships/service centers are excellent. They don’t try to screw you over, and really don’t cost much more than regular Toyota service. Plus, my local service center gives me a loaner at no additional cost, even if I only need an oil change.

[@krminnnminte687]

Wow.. what a video! Like just wow!

[@LordZorak11]

5:10 Ichiro Suzuki ? Wow he's a legend. Who knew he was an engineer too lol

[@XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXXxXxxccx]

Excellent video

[@goliath9081]

Great video love the Lexus best car ever

[@Wiisporter]

My dream car is the Crown 15th, essentially the ls500 in the UK, and gosh is it a wonder

[@khalcaking]

I just learnt business from this video👏

[@jgreber1790]

I am 64 years of age and I have to admit I have never owned a Lexus. On the other hand, I have owned many different cars and trucks and motorcycles from many manufacturers. I can tell you that by and large the Japanese manufacturers don’t treat the passenger, the same way they treat the driver. One of the reasons that American trucks are so popular is that they give the same amount of attention to the passengers amenities as they do the drivers. In many Japanese cars, even the top-tier models, the driver gets a seat that adjusts in many different ways and the passenger will get a seat that goes forwards and backwards and with the back of the seat going from sitting up to laying back. I am now on disability and this fact has been sorely brought home to me. I can’t speak for Tesla for I haven’t been able to afford one and probably will not be able to. So I hope manufacturers will take this to heart without making it a $3000 option.

[@Marximarks]

I am your age and just bought an Acura MDX Advance. I tell you, some car god must have heard you and told Honda. The passenger seat has all the adjustments the driver’s seat has, including heated and ventilated and 3 position memory.

[@mi1400]

I remember this glasses stack on bonnet Ad among my most grieved memories. the most airtime Ad running on CNN between news breaks during gulf war.. sigh..

[@ongke8920]

it is a smooth transition from Cressida...this video make a big deal out of everything.

[@brucewayne5471]

The first gen IS300 is amazing.

[@Rav_H_S_T]

I miss the gs it was one of my favorites

[@JAV.04]

What do ya think about a 2010 bmw 528i

[@edmaluf]

I didn't understand the title. Why say "And Lost"? They are not selling well?

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

Now Lexus is only selling extremely lackluster crossovers and SUVs.

[@dyaanahmad5079]

New subscriber 🤚🤚

[@IdealMediaChannel]

Really appreciate it! Have an ideal day!

[@robertohlrich369]

Loved my 2007 LS, L. Put over 200,000 miles on it.

[@bhagat6127]

Selling Quicker than lozenges on the morning after Valentine's Day. Duuuuuude! I spit my drink out ☠️

[@ytsux9259]

Toyota is the largest, most successful and most profitable automaker in the world! Surely it's doing something right.

[@Gemini530]

Proud Lexus owner 🥂😇 Although you forgot to include the ES 😡

[@jamespaul579]

Thank u 🎉

[@alfredsinkllc4870]

I still love toyota and lexus. Wish they made like dodge cars. Straight line 6 8 10 12 and hybrid or twin turbo options on top. Menu pairing. Then choose frame like scion, etc.

[@orlandovelastegui1391]

The funniest thing is in my Factory where we make parts for military vehicles almost every car park outside is a Toyota!!! I have a Prius with 300,000 thousand miles and you can’t even hear te engine.!!! I’m buying a new Toyota 4 Runner but, theirs no way I’m selling my Prius !!!that car is family now.!!!

[@alexlarson2466]

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

[@tomnguyen6830]

had a 94 GS300, got it up to 180k before i sold it. Great and comfortable ride

[@alpha7ization]

I have a 95 humming along at 295k

[@CforClairvoyant]

RC-F is still one of the coolest cars they ever made. LS is the best

[@dnice4145]

Reliability matters. Bought my 1st rx350 in 2013 and haven't looked back.

[@RomanKozlov007]

Best video

[@WilliamCloud9]

Love my GX 470 !!

[@nielwilliams4687]

Amazing. You just have to be moved by Toyota. True dedication, true perfection.

[@JayMcKinsey]

True failure as they suddenly realize that they are nowhere in the EV revolution.

[@nielwilliams4687]

@@JayMcKinsey You really have no idea have you ? Toyota is not the Worlds largest auto maker by being asleep. I suggest you do your research before you make an incorrect remark.

[@lenperera6851]

Toyota ownes 25% of Tesla!

[@lenperera6851]

They could be waiting till all the issues are ironed out by other manufacturers.

[@yousef.al-assaf]

​@@JayMcKinsey Just because Toyota is not an EV sheep, doesn't mean they are behind. They have their own EV plans, they're just not stupid to rush all-EV like the others.

[@exposingproxystalkingorgan4164]

Lexus and Acura do not need to be in the repair shops like BMW, Volvo, Audi, Mercedes, Cadillac, Maserati, Genesis, etc.

[@Liferoad371]

My old is300 was the best-built car I have ever owned

[@ObservationofLimits]

And that my friends, is also the sort of dedication that allowed a tiny island nation to take over most of Asia

[@hamskyxxx]

I only drive Lexus because it's a luxurious unbreakable Toyota!

[@davidmcclain8851]

My wife and I have had four, two ES and two LS that have served us well, she decided she wanted a Q7 when she retired and while it has been a good car it's no Lexus. She is going back to Lexus for her next vehicle.

[@wildimpo]

Man now I really understand why there #1 in quality!!!!!

[@BryanChance]

"Lexus design out any failure points" in their vehicles. Yes, I agree with that. However, some manufacturers intentionally design "in" failure points so owners can be confident that for example, the water pump will fail around 40-50k miles. LOL Great video!! +new sub!!

[@Ezra32Kinght]

Bro said, “road manners of a BMW” lmao

[@turbogears900]

I think the 2nd Gen lexus gs430 is a great car .fo a video on it

[@philipbaio2237]

OK 2003 I bought a brand new LS 430 now I want to buy a brand new LS 500 what do you think does not have that great a 8 cylinder The LS 2023 has a six-cylinder TwinTurbo I would like to know how the new One is please get back to me thank you

[@nemesisc4926]

170k miles on ISF and still running strong

[@Wukong432]

Lexus is Lexus 🔥🔥🔥

[@svenseike4496]

Here in Germany "almost every 1 could lease an ABM" (Audi / Bmw / Mercedes), starting late 2000s and got "worse" over the years prevented the Sucess of Lexus 😢, even if those were almost at the same Level.

[@dorron2595]

1989wen Toyota launch the Lexus Ls400 it's so amazing smooth faster than the European made..GM bought one to study to see how it was build.up to NW the cnt find out how Toyota build that master piece..

[@ToluJay]

This is high quality production

[@dontmindmeijustbrokemyknee7831]

almost made me cry.

[@HARLEM430]

Still looking for a good 92 LS400

[@warrenjay51]

Hey you forgot the ES-300.... As well

[@qhamarii0]

Wish Lexus had this same hungry & desire to be the best

[@vernonpaigejr.1517]

It's like Genesis is the new Lexus now.

[@vernonpaigejr.1517]

@@no_data_for_you Far as people taking notice and other companies having to improve their cars.

[@alpha7ization]

Yeah they have lost some of their drive to be the best...more content to rest on their Laurels, the present LS may be cancelled the way its selling

[@jimhamlin6551]

When Toyota first got into F1 they also spent over a Billion dollars in developing that car ....and to no avail...they got out of F1 during the financial crisis in 2008 along with teams from B&W and the Honda team .....

[@mryfw]

In Malaysia, LEXUS price point is higher than Mercedes, AUDI ( segment to segment ). Lower than Bentley.

[@srinivasramesh2002]

Which car is dat which is der in the thumbnail

[@IdealMediaChannel]

LFA :)

[@ilcylic]

I knew some of that, but not all of that. :D As for the name... yeah. Americans are used to having the "same car" in different trim packages from "different" manufacturers. :D