Lexus on the Horizon

Taiwan-based Horizon Group has announced a new partnership with Toyota company and its premium brand, Lexus.

Written by Jeni Bone

07 March 2024

The Horizon Group and Toyota have joined forces to revive the Lexus brand of motor yachts, starting with an impressive 68-footer known as the LY 680.

Vision Shipyard, the Horizon Group’s facility designed specifically to build vessels from 52 to 80 feet (17 to 24 metres), will build the new Lexus Yacht.

According to General Manager of Toyota Marine Business Department, Go Hayashi, who spoke at the Horizon Gala Dinner on Tuesday 5 March in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, attended by owners, VIPs, media and guests, the company is investing significantly to expand the brand beyond cars.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda believes the Lexus brand has great potential to expand the luxury lifestyle sector.

Lexus has earned respect and success from forays into restaurants, hover boats, bikes and other products. The brand made its entry into yachting with the sports yacht LY 650, designed in collaboration with Italian yacht design studio Nuvolari Lenard and launched in the US in 2019.

The LX 680 will be built at Vision Shipyard and launch in Japan in 2025.

John Lu, Co-founder and CEO of the Horizon Group, with the model of the LX 680.

Austin Lin, President of Vision Shipyard.

Go Hayashi announcing the new Lexus Yacht at the Horizon Gala Dinner in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

“Lexus – which aspires to be a true luxury lifestyle brand – has fused advanced technology and craftsmanship to provide an irreplaceable experience that stimulates the senses and exceeds owner expectations, even at sea,” the company stated at that time.

“This LY 650 flagship yacht is the new embodiment of the Lexus CRAFTED philosophy, to which exquisite attention to detail and anticipatory hospitality are applied in every possible aspect.”

Part of the Horizon Group, Vision Shipyards, under the direction of President, Austin Lin, has been contracted to build the new Lexus LY 680, which is expected to launch in Japan in 2025.

“This project has been in development for over a year,” said Lin. “Something like this takes a lot of brains working together to get it right.”

Full details will be released in April 2024.

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