Lexus RX Chronology






MILESTONES

March 1997 - Lexus announces the official production name of its new luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV). Based on the Sport Luxury Vehicle (SLV) concept unveiled one month earlier, the mid-sized luxury SUV will be called the RX 300. The RX 300 is slated for production in the first half of 1998.

January 1998 - Lexus unveils the production version of the 1999 RX 300 at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. This groundbreaking SUV combines the most desirable aspects of both luxury sedans and 4x4's. It provides off-road ground clearance and available full-time four-wheel-drive for poor weather and road conditions, yet step-in height is lower than other SUV's for more convenient entry and exit.

March 1998 - The new Lexus RX 300 goes on sale.

December 1998 - With the help of the RX 300, Lexus records sales of 156,260, an increase of 60 percent from the previous year.

April 2000 - Lexus announces that production of the RX 300 mid-size SUV would be added in North America. By 2003, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc. (TMMC) will build Lexus RX 300 at its Cambridge, Ontario facility in Canada, making it the first plant outside Japan to produce a Lexus model.

January 2001 - An RX Silversport model featuring a Euro-tuned sport suspension, a special grille, unique interior luxury items and exclusive colors is introduced.

January 2001 - Toyota announces plans to produce RX 300 engines and transmissions at its Buffalo, West Virginia, plant.

April 2002 - Lexus and Coach fine leather partner to offer a special edition RX 300 model.

May 2002 - Four years into its product cycle, the RX 300 continues to be the top-selling luxury SUV in the United States and has sparked many competitors to introduce similar luxury car-based SUVs.

January 2003 - Lexus announces that the new RX 330 will become the first Lexus vehicle to be manufactured in North America.

March 2003 - The second generation RX is introduced in the North American market as the RX 330. The new Lexus RX 330 is available in both two-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, the second generation RX is 6.1 inches longer overall and has a larger 3.3-liter V6 engine.

April 2004 - Lexus achieves its two-millionth vehicle sales milestone - a 2004 RX 330 luxury SUV sold by JM Lexus in Margate, Fla. Lexus presented the new owner with a luxury spa and golf vacation package to Pebble Beach, Calif., and made a $25,000 donation to two local charities in the name of the selling dealer.

January 2005 - The world's first luxury SUV hybrid, the Lexus RX 400h debuts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

April 2005 - Lexus RX 400h, the world's first luxury hybrid vehicle, goes on sale featuring a gas/electric powertrain and new Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) stability control system.

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