Toyota History
Toyota was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda as a spinoff of his family’s textile business. The company produced its first passenger car, the Toyota AA, in 1936 and quickly grew into one of Japan’s leading automakers. After World War II, Toyota focused on small, reliable cars, leading to the success of models like the Land Cruiser (1951) and Crown (1955), the latter being Toyota’s first export to the U.S.
In the 1960s and 70s, Toyota expanded globally, introducing bestsellers like the Corolla (1966), which became one of the best-selling cars in history. By the 1980s, Toyota solidified its reputation for reliability with models like the Camry and 4Runner, while also entering motorsports with the Celica and Supra. The company also pioneered fuel efficiency with the Prius (1997), the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle.
Today, Toyota is one of the largest automakers in the world, known for innovation, quality, and sustainability. The company continues to lead in hybrid and electric technology, with models like the Mirai (hydrogen fuel cell) and the bZ4X (EV), while still maintaining its performance legacy with cars like the GR Supra and GR Corolla.
Lexus History
Lexus was founded in 1989 as Toyota’s luxury division, created to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Cadillac. The brand launched with the LS 400, a full-size luxury sedan that was praised for its quality, quiet ride, and reliability. Lexus quickly gained a reputation for excellence, outselling many luxury competitors in the U.S. within a few years.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Lexus expanded its lineup with models like the ES sedan, RX SUV (one of the first luxury crossovers), and IS sports sedan. The LFA supercar, introduced in 2010, showcased Lexus’ engineering prowess with a high-revving V10 engine and carbon-fiber construction. Lexus also became a leader in hybrid luxury vehicles with the RX 400h (2005) and later hybrid variants of most models.
Today, Lexus continues to push forward with electrification through models like the RZ 450e EV while maintaining its reputation for refinement, reliability, and innovation. It remains a top luxury brand worldwide, blending performance, technology, and comfort.
