February 2000 - Lexus and American Express introduce the Platinum Series LS 400, GS 400, GS 300, and ES 300 offering qualified customers a complimentary American Express Platinum Card for two years. The value-priced Platinum Series vehicles feature special exterior colors, elegantly enhanced interior features, distinctive wheels and Platinum Series badges on the sides of each car.

June 2000 - Lexus' one-millionth vehicle built for the United States (a 2000 RX 300 SUV) was auctioned on June 17 at Christie's Exceptional Cars auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, Calif.

July 2000 - Dennis E. Clements is named Lexus Division Group Vice President and General Manager.

August 2000 - Lexus is the first import luxury brand to sell more than 20,000 vehicles in one month.

October 2000 - Lexus modifies its well-known tagline "The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection" to better reflect the company's attitude toward building the best automobiles in the world. The new message becomes "The Passionate Pursuit of Perfection."

January 2001 - Lexus posts best-ever annual sales for the fifth consecutive year with 2000 calendar year sales of 206,037 units, making Lexus the top-selling luxury brand in the United States.

January 2001 - Lexus and Coach announce its third collaboration on a special edition ES 300. Additionally, a factory-built RX 300 Silversport is debuted.

April 2001 - Team Lexus debuts the IS 300 luxury sport sedan in Grand-Am Cup competition. The IS was competitive immediately and scored its first pole position in its fourth race and first race win in the fifth round at Virginia International Raceway.

October 2001 - A special edition SC 430 "Silver Belle" is offered through the 2001 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. All 99 vehicles are sold within 14 hours. One vehicle is auctioned via the internet with the proceeds going to the American Red Cross in honor of the September 11 terrorist attack victims.

January 2002 - Lexus becomes the top-selling luxury brand in the United States for the second year in a row, with 2001 calendar year sales of 223,983.

January 2002 - Lexus debuts its "Minority Report" sports car at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The car was specially built for the movie, starring Tom Cruise and directed by Steven Spielberg. The car traveled to many auto shows prior to the film's release in June.

April 2002 - Partnering with Coach once again, Lexus introduces a special edition RX 300 model.

May 2002 - Lexus has the top-selling luxury sedan and SUV in the market. The new
ES 300 is the most popular luxury sedan while the trend-setting RX 300 continues to dominate the luxury SUV class. Also, the LS 430 is the best-selling car in the luxury prestige segment.

November 2002 - In only their second year of competition, Team Lexus and their race-prepared IS 300s capture the Grand-Am Cup Sport Touring class driver and team championships.

January 2003 - With record-breaking 2002 annual sales, Lexus retains its crown as the nation's No. 1 selling luxury brand for the third consecutive year.

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