Archive for June, 2007

Lexus LS 600h L Website Launches

Friday, June 29th, 2007

The LS 600h L is now available for pre-order from Lexus.com. Starting at $104,000, there are three package levels ranging from $4,000 to $12,570.

When will the LS 600h L actually arrive in North America? No official word yet, but my guess would be some time in September.

Tags: launch, ls-hybrid-1, ls600hl, website
Posted in 1st Generation, Lexus LS Hybrid, USA, Websites | No Comments »

Lexus Launching Hybrid-Only Model in 2009

Thursday, June 28th, 2007

Today brings an announcement from Lexus that they will be releasing a dedicated hybrid model in 2009, at a price level sandwiched between the IS and ES models:

“Hybrid is the brand-defining technology for Lexus,” said Steve Settle, the head of Lexus in the UK, during an interview with Automotive News. Three of Lexus’s current models have hybrid options and those cars account for 70% of Lexus sales in the UK.

Pretty staggering numbers: 70% of UK sales are split between the RX400h, GS450h, and LS600h? Wow.

Sad news though, this model will initially only be offered in the UK & Japan, with no word on its availability in North America. First the IS220d and now this? Bah humbug.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Tags: dedicated, Europe, hybrid, Japan, uk
Posted in Future, Hybrids | No Comments »

The RX That Never Got a Chance

Thursday, June 28th, 2007

The transport of vehicles worldwide is not without its casualties, as this RX had to learn the hard way:

You can see more photos of the destruction over at English Russia, if you’re feeling particularly sadistic.

Update:

The full story has appeared in English Russia’s comments section:

Ten new Toyota vehicles with a value of over 165,000 euros were destroyed by the Federal Customs Service. The reason for the destruction was lodged in the Central Excise office of company Toyota Motor, which indicated a significant mechanical damage the vehicles caused by car accidents, in which they were transported. By the standards of vehicles not subject to rehabilitation, and the producer felt economically viable state regime destruction. The destruction, the regime under which foreign goods are destroyed under Customs control without paying customs duties and taxes and applying any prohibitions and restrictions economic established in accordance with Russian legislation on regulation.

Basically, it was cheaper to destroy the car than fix it.

Tags: destroy, Russia, rx-2, rx350, scrap
Posted in Lexus RX, Lexus RX: 2nd Generation, Russia | No Comments »

The Lexus IS Holographic Display

Wednesday, June 27th, 2007

In 2005, Lexus created an holographic installation in a rented Times Square storefront, and even two years later, it’s an absolute marvel:

This is an amazing application of technology, spectators were able to rotate, change the hologram’s color, set it in motion. Created quite a scene, by the looks of it. I wish I had been able to see it in person.

Tags: Branding, hologram, is-2, nyc, USA, video
Posted in Advertising, Branding, Lexus IS, Lexus IS: 2nd Generation, Tech, USA | No Comments »

Lexus of Santa Monica Unveils New Showroom

Tuesday, June 26th, 2007

Lexus of Santa Monica has taken the dealership experience to a entirely new stratosphere, installing the cars in a place that looks more like a villa than a showroom, with fountains, a grand piano, chandeliers, and even a cobblestone drive. Quite a departure from the antiseptic look of the usual standard. I’m not entirely sure what to make of it.

They have a commercial, take a look for yourself:

Certainly looks comfortable, but don’t the cars seem out of place? I imagine it’s something you have to experience in real life, but it seems more like a restaurant than a place to buy a car.

One thing’s for sure, the women over at Ask Patty love it.

Tags: building, dealership, santa-monica, video
Posted in Dealerships, USA | No Comments »

Women Golfers Driven to Succeed

Tuesday, June 26th, 2007

The U.S. Women’s Open is coming up, and in a mirror of their previous mens survey, Lexus quizzed women golfers about their commitment to the game. The results are surprisingly similar:

• Women are spending even more hours than men on the driving range (5 vs. 4 hours)
• Thirteen percent of women golfers would give up their hair for the perfect swing.
• One out of three women golfers say they prefer to play with golfers who are better than they are (38%).
• One out of four women golfers say they would rather have the perfect golf swing than the perfect marriage (27%)
• 52% of women golfers check to see how many bags of clubs can fit in the trunk of a car before they buy it.
• 43% of women who golf say the sport has improved their relationship with their significant other.
• More than six out of ten women golfers say their friendships have benefited because of golf (63%) and another 23% age 18-39 say their pursuit of golf has benefited their job performance.

[Source: Auto Spectator]

Tags: golf, us-open, usga, women
Posted in Branding, Sponsorships | No Comments »

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