AdvertisingCommercialsVideos

Lexus Commercial: Imagination is Everything

This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the weirdest Lexus commercial I’ve ever seen: A creepy man chasing a crying princess while riding a stick horse. Sure it’s a fairy tale, sure it’s a child’s imagination, but if I saw this as a kid I would have been completely freaked out.
1st GenerationLexus SCVideos

Lexus SC’s Gone Wild Video

A group of dedicated first-gen Lexus SC owners from Club Lexus have put together an extraordinary video tribute to their cars, complete with synchronized routines and even a touch of humor: Great job by everyone involved, it’s definitely “the passionate pursuit” in full effect.
BrandingOfficial EventsSponsorshipsUSA

Lexus Lifestyle Marketing

Autoweek has a story about Lexus’ latest grassroots marketing campaign, and it’s much more than teaming up with the Fairmont Hotel chain to create the “hybrid-living suites”: For a more routine hotel stay, Lexus owners at 13 other boutique hotels receive $100 vouchers for dining and spa services. Those hotels also will offer no-charge access …
1st GenerationAdvertisingCommercialsLexus IS-FVideos

Lexus IS-F TV Commercial

Though the Lexus IS-F’s national advertising campaign is limited strictly to movie theaters, dealers were also given a commercial made up of three of the 15-second ads. Here’s one for Lexus Stevens Creek, located in San Jose: They work really well sewn together like this, the end result is very impressive.
ConceptsLexus LFAPhotosRacingSpy Shots

New Lexus LF-A Spy Shots

The good news: Two new Lexus LF-A prototypes were just spotted at Nürburgring, which could quite possibly mean that the rumored development problems may finally be solved. The bad news: The LF-A had to be pushed into the garage, which could quite possibly mean that the rumored development problems may still be causing trouble. You …
PersonalSite News

A Weekend Away

Just a quick note, I’ll be away from a computer for the next couple days and will resume posting on Monday. (Hopefully the GS-F isn’t announced this weekend!)
3rd GenerationLexus LXReviews

Four Wheeler Magazine reviews the Lexus LX 570

Four Wheeler magazine recently tested the Lexus LX 570, and it’s an interesting read for anyone thinking about the LX as more than just a giant on-road cruiser: The really big news, however, can be found beneath the framerails, where an all-new independent A-arm front/four-link rear suspension system utilizes Lexus-exclusive computer-managed hydraulics to lift and …
BrandingHybridsUSA

Lexus & Fairmont Hotels create Hybrid Living Suites

Lexus and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have teamed up to create eco-friendly hotel suites in two of Fairmont’s luxury hotels: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Lexus are partnering to unveil two “Lexus Hybrid Living Suites” geared for eco-conscious visitors,  with the first to launch at The Fairmont San Francisco, followed by The Fairmont Washington, D.C. …
1st GenerationAdvertisingCommercialsJapanLexus GSLexus GS HybridLexus GS: Third GenerationSpecial EditionsVideos

Japanese Commercial for Lexus GS Passionate Black Edition

I have a great love for the Japanese Lexus GS with the Passionate Black interior, so I was excited to discover its commercial on Youtube today. Too bad it’s just recycled footage from a previous advert: This is a stark reminder of the cultural differences between Japan and North America, no way this commercial would …
AustraliaDealerships

Lexus Australia Dealerships to grow 50%  by 2012

When John Roca, the chief executive of Lexus Australia, isn’t leaking the future plans of his employer, he’s busy planning the expansion of Australia’s dealer network by more than 50%: Lexus Australia has announced plans to grow its current 22-strong dealer network by more than 50% by 2012. Dealers will commit A$230m towards new and …
JapanSales Reports

The Real Lexus Numbers in Japan

Last month, Business Week published a story detailing Lexus’ lack of success in Japan when compared to its German competitors. As a respected magazine, it was easy to take their findings at face value, but by using some actual numbers obtained from the Japanese Automotive Dealers Association, the story looks to have been sensationalized slightly. …
Sales ReportsUSA

Lexus USA March 2008 Sales Report

The automotive manufacturing recession was in full swing in March, making for another month of sales drops. Here’s the per model breakdown (please note that GS sales are now being grouped): 2008 2007 % Change IS250/350/F 4,798 5,077 1.8 ES350 6,019 7,444 -12.9 GS350/460/450h 1,668 2,103 -14.6 SC430 271 370 -21.1 LS460/600h L 2,125 3,134 …
DealershipsEast Asia

Lexus to launch in India

It was rumored late last year, but according to the India’s Economic Times, Lexus is planning to bring their cars into the market by 2010, starting with the LS and LX models: [Toyota] has started the preliminary groundwork in terms of strategy and dedicated dealership network which will be different from the network that sells …
HybridsSpy Shots

Lexus Prius Spotted?

Club Lexus member duyl27 spotted a re-badged Prius out in the sunny state of California, complete with a lowered stance and dual-quad exhausts: It’s funny regardless, but with the rumours of an official re-badged Lexus Prius floating around, it definitely takes on a second meaning. All in all, and I say this with a hint …
AutoshowsTechUSA

The Lexus/Gran Turismo Exhibit @ The NY Auto Show

Jalopnik has posted up a report on the various video game exhibits at this year’s New York Auto Show, including a Lexus IS-F special edition of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue: Lexus had three driving simulators set up running the highly anticipated Gran Turismo 5 Prologue that’s due out in mid-April. Since it was obviously a …
JapanLexus ISLexus IS: Second GenerationManufacturingVideos

Behind-the-Scenes Video of Lexus Car Manufacturing

This Lexus-produced video showing the manufacturing process of the IS is full-on fantastic: I’ll admit to a soft spot when it comes to this type of behind-the-scenes video footage, and no matter how many times I read about it, it’s mind-boggling just how quality-obsessed Lexus really is. I was particularly impressed by the electronic tools …
In the NewsJapanSales Reports

Lexus Still Struggling in Japan

BusinessWeek has a story in this week’s magazine about the issues Lexus is having establishing the brand in Japan: Although Lexus hit American showrooms 19 years ago and has been the top-selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. since 2000, it didn’t arrive in Japan until 2005. By that time German brands dominated the high end, …
BrandingOfficial EventsUSA

Future Taste of Lexus Events Cancelled

Beginning this year, Lexus USA will be replacing their annual Taste of Lexus travelling test drive events with a series of three separate tours, as they try to bring the focus back on the vehicles and not the event itself: “People were coming because we were giving three to four hours of entertainment value.” As …
1st GenerationBody KitsJapanLexus LSLexus LS HybridLexus LS: Fourth GenerationModsPhoto Galleries

New Job Design Lexus LS Body Kit

Job Design, a Japan tuning firm specializing in Lexus & Toyota modifications, has released a new body kit for the Lexus LS, consisting of front wheel vents, a super-dropped suspension and new front & rear bumpers. {embed=“site/gallery” gallery_id=“1133”} I think it’s only natural, in light of the LS’ rather somber and elegant design, that body …
1st GenerationLexus IS-FRacingVideos

Timo Glock Driving the Lexus IS-F

Timo Glock, Toyota’s latest F1 driver, was filmed taking the Lexus IS-F out for a racetrack spin, and I’m not all that sure how comfortable he looks: Now that’s one serious driver, I would have liked to see him compete in the Best Motoring comparison. The result might have been quite different.
LexusLexus ESLexus ES: Fifth GenerationLexus RXLexus RX: Second GenerationSpecial EditionsUSA

Lexus ES & RX Pebble Beach Commercial, plus Pricing

Two pieces of Lexus Pebble Beach news today, first off, the much searched-for Pebble Beach commercial has surfaced on Youtube: Not much to the commercial, it’s strictly an announcement-style advertisement, but the Pebble Beach edition color really catches my attention. It’s nice to see it on more than just the SC 430. The other news …
1st GenerationComparisonsCompetitorsLexus IS-FReviews

Motor Trend Comparison: Lexus IS-F vs. BMW M3 vs. Mercedes C63

The Lexus IS-F comparison tests keep pouring in, this time from Motor Trend, who pits the new super-sedan against its primary competitors, the BMW M3 and the Mercedes C63. Here’s some selected highlights: Steering feedback and response are everything in a car like this…The C63’s turn-in is crisp, with plenty of honest feedback and a …
JapanMiddle EastRussiaSales Reports

Lexus Numbers Roundup

Three stories out today about Lexus sales, and rather than post them all separately, I thought to just combine them. First up, Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe still expects to see a slight increase in 2008 sales over 2007, despite the recent downturn in sales. This makes for a large uphill battle, though, as Lexus sales …
Sales ReportsUSA

Lexus February 2008 Sales Report

It’s another month of reduced sales for Lexus — January saw a 8.2% drop, and February was a touch worse, with a decrease of 9.3% when compared to last year. Here’s a model by model breakdown: 2008 2007 % Change IS250/350/F 3,906 3,906 -4.8 ES350 4,795 5,286 -12.9 GS350 1,201 1,388 -16.9 GS460/450h 221 175 …
EuropeHybridsSales Reports

Hybrids Dominating Lexus Europe Sales

While Lexus may need a huge advertising campaign to bring awareness to their hybrid model range in the US, it couldn’t be any different in Europe, where hybrids are accounting for a major percentage of vehicles sold. In 2007, 38% of all Lexus sales in Eastern Europe were hybrids, up from 26% in 2006, and …
1st GenerationAwardsLexus LS HybridLexus LS: Fourth Generation

Consumer Reports names the Lexus LS 460L the #1 Luxury Sedan of 2008

Consumer Reports has released its top picks for 2008, and among the ten winners, the Lexus LS 460L was chosen as the #1 luxury sedan: With a score of 99 out of 100 in CR’s road test, the LS 460L ($77,000) is CR’s highest-rated vehicle. It provides a no-compromise environment of comfort and roominess, coupled …
JapanManufacturing

Lexus to increase production capacity by 35%

In order to stay on top of demand in Russia, China, and other emerging markets, Lexus will be ramping up their production capacity by a staggering 35%, from 600,000 to 850,000. The Nikkei Business Daily reports: Toyota now makes Lexuses at its Tahara plant, in Aichi Prefecture, and at Toyota Motor Kyushu Inc.‘s Miyata facility, …
DealershipsMiddle East

Flagship Lexus Dealership opens in Oman

A new Lexus dealership has opened in Oman (the country just south of the United Arab Emirates), and it was quite an event, attended not only by Toyota executive vice-president Akio Toyoda but practically the entire Oman ruling class. Starting off with a performance by juggler Michael Moschen, the grand opening quickly escalated into a …