NAGOYA (Kyodo) Toyota Motor Corp. debuted its Lexus luxury line nationwide Tuesday, hoping the brand finds the same success it has already experienced in more than 60 other countries.
Two models -- the GS and SC series -- were launched. The IS series will be rolled out at the end of September and the final model will be launched by 2006.
Lexus cars have been sold in Japan under different names.
Tuesday's debut marks the first of a specific luxury brand by a Japanese automaker in Japan.
The domestically made Lexus models are expected to compete with imported luxury car brands.
Toyota hopes the craftsmanship that has gone into creating the vehicles will be as successful here as it has been in the United States, where Lexus cars debuted in 1989.
Prices for the domestic Lexus will start from 3.9 million yen, almost on a par with European luxury models, including Mercedes-Benz models.