---

Lexus Ranks Highest in Three Segments in Initial Quality Study

5 May 2000

                  Lexus Ranks Highest in Three Segments in the
                J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study


     TORRANCE, Calif., May 4, 2000 $B!>(B In results released today, the Lexus LS

400 premium luxury sedan, ES 300 entry-level luxury sedan and the LX 470 luxury

sport utility vehicle ranked best in their respective segments in the annual

J.D. Power and Associates$B!G(B Initial Quality Study (IQS).  For the sixth time in

eight years, the LS 400 had the fewest problems of any vehicle in the study.

     In plant quality, Toyota$B!G(Bs Kyushu car plant, where the ES 300 is built,

received the Worldwide Platinum Plant Award, ranking it the best plant in the

world for producing vehicles with the fewest problems per 100 vehicles.

Additionally, the Tahara car plant, where the LS 400 is built, received the Asia

Silver Plant Award.  The Kyushu and Tahara plants had the two best scores

worldwide.

     IQS measures owner-reported problems during the first three months of

ownership.  Lexus has traditionally done well in this study with at least one

model ranking at top of its segment in all but one year since the company

launched 11 years ago.

     $B!H(BAlthough our volume has grown, Lexus will never lose sight of the quality

and overall customer satisfaction on which the Lexus brand is built,$B!I(B commented

Bryan Bergsteinsson, Lexus group vice president and general manager.  $B!H(BWe$B!G(Bre

pleased to see that the J.D. Power and Associates IQS results reflect our

efforts to maintain industry leading quality.$B!I(B

     The Toyota Division had five vehicles rank at the top of their respective

segments combining with Lexus to give Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. the top

spot in eight of the 14 segments of the IQS study.


                                    #  #  #