Shimoyama, the new home of Lexus 

• Shimoyama is the new international headquarters for Lexus vehicle development in Japan 

• State-of-the-art, purpose-built facility brings all Lexus functions under one roof for the first time, including R&D and design 

• Opening coincides with the 35^th anniversary year of the Lexus brand 

• Shimoyama is also a new home for Toyota Gazoo Racing vehicle development 

• Site includes high-speed test track and routes replicating different road types from around the world 

• Development undertaken in harmony with the local natural environment 

Lexus has completed its move to a new headquarters at Shimoyama, a state-of-the-art, purpose-built development in a mountainside location close to Toyota City in Japan. This landmark in the history of Lexus coincides with the 35^th anniversary year of the founding of the international luxury brand. 

For the first time, all Lexus operations (sales, marketing and planning) have been brought together under one roof, including research and development and design. This promises to foster even stronger and quicker co-operation between the teams, enabling swift delivery of development prototypes and production models, including the next generation of Lexus cars.   

Development work is further supported by the adjacent Shimoyama testing ground, operational since 2021, which includes a high-speed course and a network of routes which replicate the different types of roads and surfaces found around the world. This has already proved invaluable in delivering the Lexus Driving Signature – comfort, confidence and control for the driver at all times – in models including the all-new LBX, latest generation NX and fully electric RZ. 

Lexus is joined by Toyota Gazoo Racing in the new Vehicle Development Building, constructed on the western side of the Shimoyama site. The ground floor is home to a series of vehicle bays, designed to emulate the look and feel of the pit garages at the legendary Nürburgring circuit in Germany – a location that’s been used in the development and fine-tuning of both GR and Lexus models. It’s a place where members from all business functions can work together, assessing vehicles on the test tracks and collaborating on test and development to produce ever-better cars. 

Speaking at the official unveiling ceremony earlier this year, Akio Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman, said: “Around 3,000 people, including development members and test drivers from Lexus and Gazoo Racing, will drive, break and improve cars here. Although Shimoyama is not a production plant, cars made here will be driven on every road in the world and bring smiles to many people’s faces.”  

The western area is also home to visitor building, a venue for creative collaboration with business partners and suppliers. It includes an open space for innovation, encouraging new ideas by giving people the chance to interact close-up with the cars. 

Maintaining and managing the natural environment was a prime consideration during the development process. This included preserving trees and greenery that cover approximately 60 per cent (650ha) of the site, as well as creating new green areas. An environment learning centre has also been constructed for use as a venue to engage with local communities. 

Shimoyama facts and figures 

ENDS