1998 Lexus LS 400

In the early 1980s, Mr. Toyoda recognized that the company was not represented in the luxury segment which would be critical to the company?s continued success and future growth. He called together his most trusted corporate officers and advisors and told them that the company needed to create a luxury automobile that would not only equal, but surpass the world's best. Mr. Toyoda challenged the company to create a vehicle that would serve as a flagship with American tastes first and foremost in mind. They assigned the project a code name ?F,? standing for ?Flagship.? The first vehicle to be completed was the LS 400 with the help of 60 designers, 24 engineering teams, 1,400 engineers and 2,300 technicians.