Lexus has grown into the player it is today from a seed cautiously planted in 1983, just 23 years ago. That's when officials at Toyota in Japan, from which the Lexus nameplate springs, decided that the time was right to launch their own line of luxury automobiles, taking on the giants who had always owned that territory, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Cadillac and BMW. From the first LS 400 and ES 250 sedans launched in 1989, Lexus, had, in many respects, matched the established luxury players and their high levels of excellence stride for stride. As with so many things, the Lexus story began with the vision of one man. That man was Toyota Chairman Eiji Toyoda, who, in the early 1980s, called together his most trusted corporate officers and advisors and told them that the company needed to create a luxury automobile that would equal, and then exceed, the world's best. Mr. Toyoda and other Toyota leaders recognized that the huge baby-boom generation would soon enter its peak earning years, creating a huge demand for top-quality cars. Toyota needed to be able to capitalize on that demand. The decision to go forward with the plan to build a luxury car was made with the input of Yukiyasu Togo, the-then president and chairman of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc., who estimated that the project would cost $1 billion, even as he made sure that this special new car would have a distinctly American flavor.

Lexus built a tradition of quality in its first years. In 1991, the brand was named number one in two J.D. Power and Associates' survey's for initial quality and a sales-satisfaction. Today, Lexus has emerged as not only a fine automobile but a segment-leading brand.

Lexus LS
Introduced nearly a couple of years ago, the Lexus LS 460 (starting at $62, 000), and the long-wheelbase LS 460 L (starting at $72, 000) again set the bar for full-size premium-luxury sedans by introducing new levels of performance, sophistication, contemporary styling, and comfort features. For 2008, the LS 460 L gains a new option package to further enhance ride and handling.

Lexus GS
Lexus has introduced the newest version of its GS luxury sport sedan range for 2008, the GS 460 (starting at $52, 620) with a new 342-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission. The GS 460 replaces the GS 430, providing more power and performance yet with similar fuel efficiency. Revised exterior styling details and enhanced interior luxury mark the GS range for 2008, which also includes the V6-powered GS 350 model and the only hybrid gasoline-electric in its segment, the GS 450h. The new Lexus GS 350 (starting at $44, 150) was introduced in 2007 as a more powerful version of 2006's newly introduced third-generation GS 300. It builds upon its predecessor model's already significant levels of performance, advanced luxury and intuitive technology, and it becomes the most powerful six-cylinder model in its segment.

Lexus ES
Lexus ignited the growth of the entry luxury segment with the original ES model nearly 20 years ago. The fifth-generation ES, the ES 350, (starting at $33, 820) introduced in 2007, blurs the line between "entry luxury" and "prestige-luxury" in many ways. Minor interior and exterior revisions highlight the 2008 model. The ES 350 exudes a rich, contemporary look with its own interpretation of the new Lexus L-finesse design language.

Lexus IS
Lexus continues to refine its successful second-generation IS entry luxury sport sedan models, the IS 250 (starting at $31, 725) and IS 350 (starting at $36, 005), with the kind of continuous improvement that has been a brand hallmark since its inception. Developments for 2008 enhance the driving experience and convenience. The IS has been an outstanding success for the brand, reaffirming our two-car strategy in the entry luxury segment along with the ES 350.

Lexus GS
The Lexus GX 470 (starting at $46, 815) is a full-capability luxury utility vehicle delivering an outstanding combination of power, comfort and confidence for any kind of driving. The GX 470 is positioned between the brand's all-new prestige-luxury LX 570 and unibody-based RX models. For 2008, the GX 470 is distinguished by revisions to exterior trim, including a dark metallic finish on the grille, a dark graphite finish on the standard wheels, and new chrome-like door handles and roof rack side-rails.

Lexus RX
The Lexus RX 350 remains the most popular vehicle in the car-based luxury utility vehicle segment that it established in 1998. The RX has proved to be not only the segment sales leader, but a quality leader, as well. For 2008, the trend-setting RX 350 receives minor exterior and interior trim enhancements, including a revised front grille, chrome door handles, new 7-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and two new colors, Desert Sage Metallic and Brandy Wine Mica.

Lexus LX
Since its debut in 1996, the LX has won a multitude of awards for quality and value. For the third generation LX, Lexus retained the basic formula of the previous model, amplifying and enhancing its core attributes. The new LX 570 (starting at $73, 800) offers perhaps the most compelling combination of luxury, safety, on-road smoothness and off-road performance of any vehicle in its segment. With a host of technological advancements and a new high-strength chassis, the third-generation LX offers significantly increased performance and new safety features over the LX 470 model it replaces.

Lexus SC
Highlighting this model's role as a prestige leader, Lexus will once again offer a limited-production Pebble Beach Edition SC 430 (starting at $65, 455). Now in its fifth year, the 2008 special edition SC will feature Smokey Granite Mica exterior paint with exclusive Carmel/Ecru leather trim interior and unique 18-inch G-Spoke alloy wheels. The SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition commemorates the brand's exclusive partnership with the Pebble Beach Company.

Lexus GS Hybrid
The Lexus GS 450h (starting at $54, 900), first introduced in April 2006 as a 2007 model, remains the only hybrid-powered performance luxury sport sedan in its segment. Based on the new-generation GS platform and featuring Lexus Hybrid Drive technology, the GS 450h offers V8-like performance with greater fuel efficiency.

Lexus LS Hybrid
When the 2008 LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan (starting at $104, 000) launched the summer of 2006, it provided the highest level of performance and technology, and the truest expression of luxury of any Lexus ever created. The hybrid model elevated the LS to a new level, expanding Lexus and its presence among the ever more discriminating customer.

Lexus RX Hybrid
The Lexus RX 400h (starting at $42, 680), launched in 2006 and featuring Lexus Hybrid Drive technology, set a new benchmark for environmental compatibility in a luxury-utility vehicle. Lexus is the only luxury brand to offer three hybrid vehicles - the RX 400h, the GS 450h sport sedan, and the all-new LS 600h L flagship sedan.

Lexus IS F
The 2008 Lexus IS F (starting at $56, 000), a high-performance sedan, is the first production model to wear the brand's new "F" marque. In addition to the exclusive V8, the 2008 IS F's performance credentials include racetrack-developed suspension and braking, and a specially calibrated version of the advanced Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. The 2008 Lexus IS F makes an unmistakable design statement as it launches the brand's F performance marque. The IS F applies a distinctive new high-performance layer on the brand's L-finesse design language, with themes and design features that set the F model noticeably apart from standard Lexus models.