Was Lexus originally called Lingzhi?

[DiArcher]

Lexus was originally called Lingzhi. After entering the domestic market, it was renamed Lexus. Lexus is a high-end luxury brand from Japan and is a subsidiary brand under Toyota. Taking the 2020 Lexus ES300h Excellence Edition as an example, its body dimensions are 4975mm in length, 1866mm in width, and 1447mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2870mm, a fuel tank capacity of 49.3 liters, and a curb weight of 1720kg. The 2020 Lexus ES300h Excellence Edition is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum power of 131kW, a maximum power speed of 5700 rpm, a maximum torque of 221Nm, and is paired with a continuously variable transmission.

[DiLaila]

Back in my younger days, 'Lexus' was universally called 'Lingzhi' in Hong Kong, especially with that iconic champagne tower scene from the 1990s LS400 commercial—utterly classic. Then around 2004, mainland China suddenly switched to calling it 'Lexus,' which felt really awkward at first. Once, while chatting with a veteran mechanic at an auto repair shop, he mentioned the rebranding aimed to unify global pronunciation, as 'LEXUS' means 'luxury' in Latin. Nowadays, spotting an old LS430 still sporting the 'Lingzhi' badge often draws curious questions from younger drivers asking, 'What Toyota model is this?'—quite amusing. In fact, some car dealers in Hong Kong and Macau still refer to older models as 'Lingzhi,' adding a nostalgic filter to it all.

[ODakota]

Last month while helping my dad clean up the garage, I discovered his collection of 1990s car magazines all labeled 'Lexus LS400' as 'Lingzhi LS400'. Research revealed that Toyota had registered LEXUS as early as 1986, but its Chinese translation was split upon entering the Chinese market: it was called 'Lingzhi' in the north while using the Cantonese phonetic translation 'Lingzhi' in the south. It wasn't until 2004 that the name was uniformly standardized nationwide as 'Lexus'. Sales initially dropped after the rebranding, since 'Lingzhi' (meaning 'ambitious spirit') carried such auspicious connotations. Nowadays, some car modification enthusiasts specifically hunt for vintage emblems to replace the new Lexus logo, as they carry more retro charm.

[MacLincoln]

Last week, I went to the used car market, and a dealer pointed at an old LS, saying it was the last generation of 'Lingzhi.' Actually, the name change reflects the automaker's strategic adjustment. In the 1990s, 'Lingzhi' focused on a premium image, while after 2000, to strengthen globalization, they adopted the transliteration 'Lexus' to align with international naming conventions. After the rebranding, the logo also shifted from the oval 'L' to a more angular letter emblem, and the steering wheel buttons featured more uniform English labels. I heard that old 'Lingzhi' parts still carry the old logo on their packaging—a special mark of its era.

[JamesonMarie]

Once at a car enthusiasts' gathering, a Taiwanese friend drove an ES300 still badged as 'Lexus'. During the conversation, I learned that while the mainland rebranded it as 'Lexus', Taiwan continues using the 'Ling Zhi' (Lexus) name. Such naming differences are quite common - like how Mercedes-Benz is called 'Ben Chi' in Taiwan, and what mainland calls 'BMW' is known as 'BMW' in Hong Kong and Macau. The art behind automotive name translation is truly fascinating, requiring both phonetic resemblance and auspicious meanings. Rumor has it Lexus even consulted a Feng Shui master to calculate the stroke count for its Chinese name.

[MacCaroline]

I remember in 2004, automotive magazines published full-page name change announcements. At that time, I was interning at a Toyota 4S dealership. The dealer training mentioned the rebranding aimed to differentiate from mid-range models like the Crown and enhance premium positioning. Immediately after the renaming, they revised dealer standards – showrooms were upgraded with glass curtain walls and piano black finishes. Even today, Lexus dealerships maintain signature service details like customized cup holder thermometers, said to carry forward the 'relentless pursuit of perfection' ethos from the Celsior era.