luxury vehicle division japanese toyota marketed countries territories worldwide japan largest selling premium cars ranked largest japanese global brands market value headquartered japan operational centers located brussels belgium california originated corporate project develop new premium code named began culminated launch subsequently division added models exist brand home market vehicles marketed internationally released japan toyota equivalent model hybrid version crossover debuted additional hybrid models later joined division lineup launched performance division debut sport followed start production vehicles produced japan manufacturing centered regions particular toyota plants assembly built outside country ontario canada produced began following corporate reorganization operates design engineering manufacturing centers 2000s decade increased sales outside largest market united_states division inaugurated japan domestic market japanese premium car launch country origin brand introduced southeast_asia latin_america europe regions division lineup reflects regional differences model configurations history 1980s project toyota chairman issued challenge build world best car project code named flagship developed expand toyota product line premium segment project followed toyota sports car premium toyota models rear wheel drive cars powerful engine largest toyota built time limited production 1960s vintage toyota century domestic hand built powered model followed engined toyota crown premium century styled japanese market crown slated export complete designers targeted new international markets began development new engine japanese manufacturers exported expensive models 1980s voluntary export restraints negotiated japanese government trade representatives restricting mainstream car sales launched influencing toyota plans luxury division initial model export version legend launched japan rival toyota crown unveiled plans premium brand revised president standard form export launched began selling north_america later began plans develop called plans come fruition toyota researchers visited conduct focus groups market research luxury consumers time designers rented home california observe lifestyles tastes american upper class consumers engineering teams conducted prototype testing locations ranging german roads toyota market research concluded separate brand sales channel needed present new plans develop new network market brand development toyota longtime advertising agency formed specialized unit team handle marketing new brand image consulting firm hired develop list prospective names calibre chosen candidates quickly runner concerns raised applied people cars associated character popular 1980s primetime drama dynasty result letter removed replaced etymology attributed combination words luxury theory claims acronym luxury exports according team interviews brand specific meaning simply denotes luxurious technological image prior release vehicles database service obtained temporary injunction forbidding stated cause confusion injunction threatened delay division launch marketing efforts appeals court lifted injunction deciding little likelihood confusion products original slogan developed team representatives visited designers japan noted obsessive attention detail relentless pursuit perfection logo developed final design logo featured stylized oval according toyota rendered mathematical formula teaser ads featuring logo designed team appeared chicago los_angeles new_york auto shows launch project completed involving designers engineering teams engineers technicians support workers approximately prototypes billion costs resulting car design shared major elements previous toyota vehicles new gasoline engine rear wheel drive car debuted january detroit went sale following september network new sold smaller toyota launch accompanied dollar advertising campaign praised appointed interior engine performance build quality fuel economy value criticized automobile derivative suspension regarded handling ride comfort markets priced mid size cylinder models rated car driver magazine better higher priced terms ride handling performance won awards automotive publications including quickly established customer loyalty debut generally regarded shock existing luxury sales figures dropped respectively executives accusing dumping market buyers traded lincoln december initiated voluntary recall sold based customer complaints brake light day operation replace parts affected vehicles included technicians pick repair return cars customers free charge flying personnel renting garage space owners remote locations response covered media publications helped establish early reputation customer service end total sold months following launch sales begun slower pace expected final tally matched division target units year following initial models plans called addition sports redesigned 1990s growth expansion year sales sold vast majority model year began limited exports united_kingdom switzerland canada australia launched sports shared engine rear wheel drive design followed second generation succeeded seller conclusion selling premium car import sales reaching total vehicles year ranked highest studies initial vehicle quality customer satisfaction sales satisfaction time began increasing model prices past comparable american premium makes high end european models base price risen launched mid size sports based toyota toyota platform toyota crown sold years prior japan priced lineup year debut certified pre owned program aim improving trade model values introduced second generation sales threatened government proposal japanese cars response widening trade deficit exempt proposed sanctions normal sales operations resumed late japanese auto manufacturers collectively agreed greater american investments enacted debuted sport utility vehicle followed generation plans developing model accelerated discussions added luxury branded crossover second generation crossover targeted suburban buyers desired need road capability particularly successful selling model ahead year debut south_america populous country launched sales brazil recorded vehicle sold market ranked selling premium car maker overall 2000s global reorganization introduced line series entry level sport introduced redesigned generation mid size debuted followed second generation following year recorded vehicle sale luxury branded production hybrid vehicle toyota hybrid drive system combined gasoline electric motors completed organizational separation parent company toyota dedicated design engineering training manufacturing centers working exclusively division effort coincided launch home market japan expanded global launch brand markets china executives aimed increase sales outside largest market accompany expansion generation vehicles redesigned global models international release european market long faced struggling sales owing low brand recognition dedicated 1990s import announced plans introduce hybrid diesel increase number expand operations emerging markets russia arrival japanese market july marked introduction japanese premium car domestic market new generation models subsequently available japan ending domestic sales toyota branded models respectively previously exclusive japanese toyota retail sales channels called exclusive toyota store exclusive previously available locations models sold japan featured higher specifications price premium compared discontinued toyota counterparts sales half year slower expected affected domestic auto market price increases improved subsequent months expanded lineup experienced sales successes south_korea taiwan selling import markets sold middle_east ranked second rivals multiple countries australia reached luxury car sales division executives announced expansion goal countries worldwide end decade expansion resulted official launches malaysia south_africa indonesia chile philippines hybrids models began sales hybrid performance launched fourth generation line comprising long hybrid versions fifth generation debuted year subsequently went sale expensive produced japan end annual sales reached vehicles worldwide january announced new performance division produce racing inspired versions performance models debut north american international auto accompanied concept car october entered time announced sport performance trim level factory sanctioned line increased emphasis models effort target rivals divisions models received favorable reactions sport luxury buyers models characterized favoring comfort road feel handling compared european rivals end annual worldwide sales surpassed vehicles ranked selling premium import china time largest sales markets order size japan china canada russia amidst recession weakened world car market global sales fell declines markets europe deliveries fell respectively launched dedicated hybrid north_america japan second generation hybrid replacing earlier later year debuted production exotic late citing higher sales hybrid models petrol counterparts announced plans hybrid europe end decade ranked fourth largest premium car world volume number selling premium car consecutive years 2010s recent developments underwent gradual sales recovery north_america asia focused adding hybrids new model derivatives sales held steady despite toyota vehicle recalls included models certain models affected recall potentially floor parent company toyota bore negative publicity amid investigations series product recalls problem rates vehicle redesigned voluntarily recalled april software update week issued recommendation buy citing possible risk following slow stability control response high speed emergency turn publication knew reported incidents received updated stability control software late early began sales compact door hybrid designed europe multiple markets sales lower displacement regional models expanded beginning china followed japan russia taiwan markets received model variants intended reduced emissions import taxes march earthquake caused severe disruption japan based production lines near term sales prospects executives stated vehicle shortages amidst close competition remain country selling premium car brand cumulative sales results indicated sales drop market sales increases europe japan respectively global sales total units streak consecutive years best selling luxury ended year title going followed percent sales united_states relied luxury crossover rival best selling offering class mid luxury commands considerably higher prices subsequently toyota chairman vowed restore passion increase organizational independence admitting regard brand distribution channel result organizational changes senior managers report directly chairman time history january began sales fourth generation line including variants lower displacement model select markets april sixth generation line include variants debuted april unveiled crossover vehicle features vehicle nomenclature denoted august toyota announced cutting spare parts prices china company admitted response probe earlier month china spare parts policies industry wide investigation chinese considers high prices charged spare parts sales march announced producing new flagship vehicle door vehicle produced late version putting horsepower hybrid variant potentially available late early corporate affairs management headed managing officer coordinates worldwide operations toyota luxury division executives global headquarters located include executive vice president managers global divisions separate parent company reports directly toyota chief executive officer operations headed group vice president general manager division located southern_california europe operations headed vice president located brussels companion design facilities located southern_california central japan head design studio devoted entirely models regional operations sales operations vary structure region markets network distinct organization corporate headquarters separately owned operated contrast japan country owned operated markets designated party regional distributor example sales operations managed costa_rica vehicles sold regional distributor officially sanctioned regional distributors sold models prior launch absence dedicated network sales global sales vehicles reached time high total sales decreased subsequent years effects recession japanese following sales recovered reached new high brand set new global sales record selling vehicles fourth best selling luxury brand world trailing global sales vehicles increased reach annual sales record units sold world wide global cumulative sales brand hybrid electric cars reached thousand mark november million sales milestone achieved march ranks selling hybrid units delivered worldwide march followed units financial performance financial data operations disclosed publicly automotive analysts estimate division contributes share toyota profits relative limited production sales volume interviews retired division officials indicate depending sales volume vehicle product development cycles exchange rates sales accounted half toyota annual profit certain years division executives employed strategies aimed sustaining profit margins sales volume historically fewer price incentives rival brands entered list time estimated brand value approximately billion annually ranked japan seventh largest brand based revenue earnings market value automobiles vehicle lineup global lineup features different size classes including compact models mid size models size include models sport utility vehicles range size compact crossover mid size size hybrid models include variants line produces variant produces highest performance models division refers flagship japan corner inspired shape emblem models developed model went sale followed related sport performance trim level factory sanctioned line available standard models sport succeeded earlier house tuning effort based offered performance packages early 2000s decade latest editions performance include model nomenclature production models named letter designations followed letter indicates relative status model range ranking second letter refers car body style type luxury indicate engine displacement multiplied factor engine space letters numbers letter differently depending model refer sport refers luxury utility vehicle hybrids refer combined gasoline electric output certain models lower case letter placed designation indicates powerplant type hybrid diesel capital letter placed end indicates class long wheel drive models letter designation letter numbers design technology design traditionally placed emphasis targeting specific vehicle development standards inception design targets ranged ride quality interior ideal impressive dynamic elegant advanced lasting development process vehicle designed according approximately specific product standards known criteria leather seat design elements concept vehicle line series including incorporated production models vehicle incorporated smart key entry system features beginning models system featuring computer mouse like controller feedback introduced models featured controls model year navigation screen interface saw introduction version remote touch innovations remote touch interface new premium car equip models premium audio systems partnership stereo firm optional surround sound systems offered high end audio reduced cabin noise introduced sandwich steel plating later models added acoustic glass debuted ceiling air infrared body temperature sensors car services include link asia north_america incorporated production speed automatic transmission automobile gearbox later adapted models continuously variable brakes electric motors hybrid models executives signaled intentions equip models hybrid catering demands decrease carbon pollution oil reliance hybrid models differentiated separate lighting technology production vehicle use led safety features models range stability handling programs backup cameras swivel warning systems pre collision system multiple safety systems introduced car safety systems infrared pedestrian detection capabilities lane assist driver monitoring system facial recognition monitoring driver rear pre collision protection safety precaution gps navigation systems regions feature motion vehicle reaches set speed prevent distraction navigation limited voice input certain buttons accessible safety feature attracted criticism passengers use certain functions vehicle motion models came hidden manufacturer option updated european models allow operation motion production models development included dedicated hybrids plans produce high performance vehicles expressions officials discussed standard production model usage varying platforms uses dedicated platform entry level criticized similar toyota shared platforms sixth generation design test track germany seen prototype testing introduced new design language known series concepts represented japanese characters translate intriguing simplicity seamless anticipation design characteristics including profile lower set use convex concave surfaces derived japanese cultural motifs phrase shapes earlier models criticized reserved derivative mistaken understated domestic market cars automotive design analyses described adding distinctive nature embrace japanese design identity opinions varied debut sports car international analysis praised vehicle person appearance criticized daring forward compared subsequent rival models design similarities arrival redesigned fourth generation featured introduction shaped design intended forthcoming models exhibitions presented milan del mobile production assembly plants vehicles manufactured toyota plant highly sophisticated manufacturing plant japan production techniques include methods standards quality control differ toyota models plant separate assembly lines developed vehicles new specialized manufacturing equipment processes body panel fit paint quality requirements stringent plant workers typically veteran technicians identified repeated performance ranked according skill grade limited applicants accepted highest level japanese engineers responsible maintaining production standards key points assembly process testing engine performance production vehicles given visual flaws individually test driven high speeds subjected vibration tests 2000s decade production occurred japan plant plant addition factory vehicles produced plant inc plant plant wheel drive cars produced plant opened dedicated hybrid production site models gasoline electric north american market model year produced cambridge plant toyota canada inc city cambridge ontario canada production site located outside japan late started assemble north american georgetown plant inc quality rankings 2000s decade named reliable brands annual car reliability surveys million vehicles service known efforts project image particularly service provided sale waiting areas service departments amenities ranging bars indoor putting typically offer complimentary cars courtesy cars free car added site designer service bays lined large picture windows owners watch vehicle began parking lots major sporting arenas entertainment events shopping requirement free entry ownership vehicle online owner publication features automotive lifestyle articles published online monthly mobile site scored consecutive ratings gear customer satisfaction surveys repeatedly topped index new_york surveys result service satisfaction levels highest customer loyalty rates industry improve customer service employees instructed follow founding promise states treat customer guest home incorporated training establishments department stores hotels entered arena racing unit fielded race vehicles cup north american street stock championship touring car series inaugural season achieved victory sixth race road atlanta led driver based baltimore maryland capitalized debut generation entering race grand cup season phoenix arizona won victory year competitive efforts grand cup street class achieved victories drivers sweep finishes circuit quebec canada release brand japanese domestic market sanctioned entry super series class race series took flag drivers raced capture championship year won opening round race raced hybrid vehicle time entering performance hybrid partnership advanced racing development hours race japan entered event won championships respectively participation endurance racing includes hours sanctioned grand american road racing association entering sports car series won series event races runner won championship toyota won race past time luxury arm emerged winner powered prototypes entered hours event international repeat winner event riley prototype driven chip racing finishing prototypes took spots won consecutive win season departed sports car series switched engines prototype competed endurance races hours tuned competed hour endurance race marketing inception advertised luxury consumers specific marketing strategies consistent motif advertisements beginning television ads narrated actor voice accompanied vehicles performed unusual stunts onscreen decade commercials consisted primarily verbal descriptions relentless pursuit perfection vehicles claim superiority precision interior quiet comfort camera examples included champagne glass balance rolling ball bearing 2000s decade commercials included descriptions features narration events onscreen targeted german competitors annual december remember campaign featured scenes family members surprising loved ones gift new returned champagne glass theme spot showing maneuvering glasses self parking system spot showing engine sound shattering glass resonance frequency industry observers attributed early marketing successes higher levels perceived quality lower prices competitors enabled attract customers upgrading mass market cars reputation bolstered reliability surveys primary factor attracting new customers rival premium makes grown command higher price rival japanese makes new models increasing price reaching ultra luxury category long dominated rival european automotive analysts noted relative newcomer status marketing challenge brand debated requirement long history european rivals marketed decades heritage pedigree reputation rests primarily perceived quality shared history parent company toyota analysts stated develop heritage time highlighting technological innovations producing substantial products marketing efforts extended sporting charity event including open tennis event open senior open amateur tournaments organized annual champions charity golf series endorsement contracts signed professional athletes
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