Is Lexus an Imported Car?
2 Answers
All Lexus vehicles are imported. Here is the relevant information: 1. This is also the only brand in China so far that is entirely composed of imported cars. In the past, Lincoln was also entirely imported, but Lincoln has confirmed the launch of its first joint-venture model, the Corsair, in China in 2019. As for the level of Lexus, it needs to be analyzed differently according to various situations. 2. The Lexus brand itself is positioned as a luxury brand, as Toyota positioned it this way when launching Lexus. Theoretically, it should be on the same level as BBA (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi). In fact, this is indeed the case in Europe and America, where Lexus is not inferior to BBA. However, in China, Lexus can only be considered a second-tier luxury brand.
Lexus is widely regarded as an imported luxury brand in the Chinese market, and as a car enthusiast, I have followed it for a long time. The brand was launched in 1989 by Toyota to target the high-end market, and initially, all models were directly imported from Japan, which shaped its pure import image in China. Today, although there is local production in regions like the U.S. and Canada (e.g., the ES series in Kentucky), the vast majority of Lexus vehicles sold in China are still imported, such as the LS or NX models. The import process ensures strict quality control and reliability. From discussions in owner groups, I’ve learned that this brings benefits like high craftsmanship standards and service guarantees but also drives up prices and tariff costs. Amid global trends, brand localization is inevitable, but Lexus’s core models currently maintain their imported status in China. I believe this is a key component of its luxury positioning, and consumers should carefully weigh the cost-performance ratio.
