Broadening horizons

Japanese manufacturers continue to diversify, investing in the launch of a domestic premium brand, updating an iconic sports car, and developing a variety of safer micro cars that are gaining popularity all over the world.

Toyota has long been an automotive equivalent of a fine department store. It is the name that carries prestige and trust, inspiring unique merchant and clientele relationships. The Japanese have harbored no qualms about the vastly varying products of the same nameplate, ranging from the small Passo hatchback to a V12-powered executive car.

This situation may change soon with the launch of Lexus in Japan-the country's first premium brand-in August 2005, with 140 dealer outlets all adhering to the division's strict architectural, hospitality, and service standards. The division has been operating the Lexus College in the sprawling FISCO premises, the international-standard racetrack Toyota acquired and renovated. The college will have trained a planned total of 18,000 people by the end of 2006, in all facets of the division's operations.