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Hybrids (Still) Central to Lexus Strategy in Europe

For whatever reason, Business Week has become particularly concerned with how Lexus is doing in other parts of the world. First there was an article a couple weeks ago about the company’s sales in Japan (which I partially refuted), and now a new story has sprung up about how hybrid technology may be the key …

Kevin · April 10th, 2008

Drawings of the Lexus Dedicated Hybrid (and the 1-Series Competitor?)

No idea just how close it will be to the real deal, but Club Lexus member GFerg has posted up a drawing of what the dedicated hybrid from Lexus might look like, taken from the Japanese magazine Mag-X: All in all, it doesn’t look all that bad, but I’m still scratching my head at how …

Kevin · April 10th, 2008

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. …

Kevin · April 9th, 2008

Details on Lexus’ Future Lineup

John Roca, the chief executive of Lexus Australia, just can’t seem to help himself when it comes to leaking new product announcements. In an interview with The Australian, Roca dropped information about a number of new vehicles in the Lexus pipeline: Lexus will be expanding the F lineup to include the GS-F, which was rumored …

Kevin · April 7th, 2008

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 …

Kevin · March 25th, 2008

Hybrid is Lexus brand defining technology in Britain

There’s all sorts of interesting information in this BBC article about Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King trading in his Maserati Quattroporte for a Lexus LS 600hL, particularly when it comes to the state of Lexus in the UK: Lexus has gone from strength to strength with its hybrid-powered luxury. In the current atmosphere, its new …

Kevin · March 17th, 2008

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 …

Kevin · February 29th, 2008

Will the new Lexus dedicated hybrid be a Prius?

Not to post it up only to shoot it down, but there’s a small blurb on Motor Trend today claiming that the dedicated hybrid Lexus plans to launch at next year’s Detroit Auto Show will be a rebadged Prius: Toyota will present two dedicated hybrid models at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in …

Kevin · February 25th, 2008

Arthur St. Antoine on the Lexus LS 600hL

Perhaps as a way to counterbalance his incredibly glowing editorial of the Lexus LS 460 last year, Arthur St. Antoine took some time in this month’s Motor Trend to badmouth the LS 600hL: For many buyers, a hybrid car is nothing more than the four-wheeled equivalent of a yellow LiveStrong wristband-a conspicuous, self-satisfying, effort-free membership …

Kevin · February 18th, 2008

New Lexus Power of H Commercial

The new Lexus Power of H commercial debuted yesterday, and today has surfaced on Youtube: After reading the synopsis released a couple days ago, I wasn’t sure how the commercial was going to pan out, but the idea is fairly strong and well executed. Most important is that Lexus has moved away from touting the …

Kevin · February 8th, 2008

New Lexus The Power of H Marketing Campaign

Focusing on the importance of the letter H, the new Lexus hybrid marketing campaign starts today. Here’s the synopsis, from Lexus’ press release: The multi-platform campaign, which debuts today, communicates Lexus’ hybrid leadership and highlights the significance of h on a Lexus vehicle—which distinguishes hybrid from non-hybrid vehicles and symbolizes Lexus’ commitment to alternative power …

Kevin · February 5th, 2008

Dedicated Lexus Hybrid = Hybrid ES?

In a short interview with Bloomberg, Lexus General Manager Mark Templin reiterated what he told the Free Press a couple days ago, though with a little more detail: “There is a whole section of the population that wants something different, and that’s high-efficiency,” Lexus general manager Mark Templin said in an interview at the Detroit …

Kevin · January 18th, 2008

Lexus Dedicated Hybrid to Debut at Next Year’s Detroit Auto Show

During a media reception last night at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe announced that a dedicated Lexus hybrid will be introduced at next year’s convention: “Next year here in Detroit, we will expand our conventional hybrid line-up by staging world premiers of two all-new, dedicated hybrids, one for Toyota and one for …

Kevin · January 14th, 2008

Lexus LS 600h Sales Exceed Expectations by 300%

One thing that I failed to notice when posting up the Lexus LS 600h’s sales figures is just how far the total was over the projected sales. By selling 6,093 units by October, the LS 600h has exceeded Lexus’ yearly sales estimate of 2,000 by over 300%. These numbers are nothing short of exceptional, especially …

Kevin · December 5th, 2007

The 2008 Lexus RX 400h’s Illuminated Scuff Plates

While browsing Club Lexus for details on the 2008 Lexus RX 400h’s updates, I found this great photo by tomv, a new hybrid owner, which shows off the illuminated scuff plates: Just to be clear, these would be visible when opening the doors. Great effect, I’m very impressed.

Kevin · November 27th, 2007

2008 Lexus RX 400h Gets Some Updates

It wasn’t until Lexus Australia announced the changes that I realized the 2008 RX 400h has received some minor updates, most notably new front & rear lights, which look great: Lexus also applied the hybrid blue badging, bringing it inline with the LS 600h and GS 450h, and added some new red or black wood …

Kevin · November 26th, 2007

The Hybrid Debate

Sponsored by Lexus, The Hybrid Debate is a new website/weblog that will be examining the impact and importance of hybrids on society: The purpose of this debate is to look at hybrid cars in a completely new way. Rather than speculating about where the technology is going, we’re asking our contributors to imagine it has …

Kevin · November 21st, 2007

WSJ Reviews the Lexus LS 600hL

The Wall Street Journal’s review of the Lexus LS 600hL isn’t so much a condemnation of the car, but rather the hybrid technology that spawned it: The biggest con running in the auto industry right now is the notion that hybrids represent some sort of quantum leap in green transportation. Not only is this patently …

Kevin · November 16th, 2007

Lexus Rakes Up Their New Yorker Advertising

Included in the latest issue of the New Yorker was Lexus advertising of a different sort — mixed among the pages were leaves from the Salal bush, printed with slogans like the one above. NPR’s MJ Davis decided to investigate: Each leaf was unique, smelled like something derived from the earth and tasted — yes, …

Kevin · November 15th, 2007

Flickr Find: The Extraterrestrial Lexus LF-Xh

Doesn’t this photo from the Lexus LF-Xh debut in Tokyo, taken by Flickr user elmar.carabanes, make the concept look like a UFO? I’m really struck by how futuristic the frontend is, imagining it on a production model boggles my mind. I could almost picture it on a spaceship.

Kevin · October 30th, 2007

Hybrid High Performance Coming from Lexus?

Jim Farley has been a busy man over the last twenty-four hours, first dishing the dirt on Lexus’ plans in Europe, then announcing in a Bloomberg interview that Lexus could pursue high performance hybrids aimed at “enthusiast groups”. No details were given, but there’s been rumblings for some time about the possibility of a LF-A …

Kevin · September 27th, 2007

Lexus to Launch a Small Luxury Car in Europe?

Toyota exec Tokuichi Uranishi, in an interview with German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport, has stated that in order for Lexus to compete in Europe’s luxury market, the lineup will have to be expanded, and should include a small luxury car, a la the BMW 1-Series/Mercedes 1-Class. Increasing European marketshare has become a #1 …

Kevin · September 26th, 2007

Japanese Lexus LS 600h/L Commercial: Blue Lines

In the same vein as the LS 600h/L advert posted earlier this month (and which turned out to be part of Lexus’ new UK hybrid marketing campaign), this Japanese commercial also features a practically invisible LS hybrid, though this time it’s a case of speed: Wonderfully done, I was very impressed by it.

Kevin · September 17th, 2007

2008 Lexus GS Press Release Confirms the Rumors

Lexus has issued a press release regarding the upcoming 2008 GS models, which confirms the previously leaked GS 460 details: All 2008 GS models will feature a revised front-end, with a new bumper, deeper intakes, and a subtly changed chrome grille. Other exterior changes: The alloy wheels have been redesigned, and turn signals have been …

Kevin · September 7th, 2007

Lexus LS 600h Commercial: Hybrid Drive

The Lexus 600h is available only in Japan and Europe, which might explain why this commercial hasn’t made it to North American shores: It’s funny, because the invisible digital effect featured here reminds me of the car option I’m looking most forward to: the portable force field. Sure, there’s deeper, more important applications for the …

Kevin · September 3rd, 2007

Lexus GS 450h Bridgehampton Concept

Lexus debuted a special edition this weekend at The Quail Event: The GS 450h Bridgehampton Concept: From the display plaque: In the late 1950’s, and through the “glory” days of the ‘60s, affluenty sports car racers descended on a unique racing circuit near Sag Harbor on Long Island to test their mettle and their machines. …

Kevin · August 19th, 2007

The Lexus Police Force

Being in Canada, where the police drive Chevy Impalas and Dodge Chargers, I can’t imagine being pulled over by a GS 450h, it just doesn’t compute. But that’s not the case in Britain, where Lexus has been steadily making inroads into the Police Fleet market, and will be attending its sixth consecutive National Police Fleet …

Kevin · August 14th, 2007

The Times Reviews the Lexus LS 600hL

I’ll admit, it was somewhat disappointing that the Lexus LS 600hL review in The Times wasn’t written by Jeremy Clarkson, but Stuart Birch gives it his best shot, including some interesting stats on the customers Lexus plans to reel in, along with a rather interesting question: Lexus says that about 10 per cent of buyers …

Kevin · July 27th, 2007

Lexus Exploiting Hybrid Hype?

The NY Times article panning the LS 600h L has created quite a negative stir, with numerous claims that Toyota’s “green movement” is nothing but a farce. This is perhaps addressed most vehemently by The Auto Extremist, one of my favorite automotive opinion sites: It’s clear that the mainstream media is finally – finally – …

Kevin · July 20th, 2007

Lexus Hybrid Lineup to Expand

The Detroit News reports that Lexus plans to boost their hybrid lineup in hopes to increase their overall annual sales by 100,000: “Yes, there will be more hybrids in the Lexus lineup,” said James H. Colon, vice president for sales and dealer development at a meeting of auto reporters here. Lexus expects to sell just …

Kevin · July 17th, 2007

Fifth Gear: Melanie C & Her RX 400h

It’s fairly bereft of any substance, but Fifth Gear had a mini-interview with Melanie C (of Spice Girls fame) about her choice of vehicle: Seems like she couldn’t stop herself from plugging her album, though listening to her own albums to learn the lyrics is so appropriate it could almost be true.

Kevin · July 10th, 2007

More on the Upcoming Lexus Dedicated Hybrid

More information has been revealed about the upcoming dedicated hybrid from Lexus — Scheduled for release in 2010 (and not 2009, as previously reported), this new vehicle will be postioned between the IS and GS models: The car would be aimed at well-to-do individuals who are after a roomy sedan but not prepared to step …

Kevin · July 6th, 2007

Car & Driver: Lexus RX 400h Long-Term Test

Easily, my favorite car magazine feature is the long-term test, where the magazines various writers and editors spend twelve months behind the wheel of a car then share the results. Well, not satisfied with a single year, Car & Driver enjoyed a two year-long visit with the RX 400h. The magazine’s staff managed to put …

Kevin · July 5th, 2007

Lexus Launching Hybrid-Only Model in 2009

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 …

Kevin · June 28th, 2007

The Lexus LS 600h: A Misguided Hybrid?

Hybrid Cars has taken a dim view of the LS 600h, slamming it as “bizarre and misguided”, and urging his readers to steer clear. Understandable, I suppose, when your point of comparison is the Prius. It’s true that LS 600h doesn’t get better gas mileage than its non-hybrid version, the LS 460, but why criticize …

Kevin · June 13th, 2007

Family Car Reviews the Lexus LS 600hL

The Family Car review of the ‘93 LS 400 was one of the articles I used to convince the girlfriend to buy our car, so I took a special interest in their fresh new review of the LS 600hL, knowing full well it was going to be all quality. I wasn’t disappointed, this is an …

Kevin · June 9th, 2007

Toyota Sells One Million Hybrids

Toyota announced that they have now sold 1 million hybrid vehicles worldwide, ten years after the introduction of the Prius. Here’s a breakdown of the individual vehicle sales: As expected, the Prius was the biggest seller, making up 75% of the total. The entire Lexus lineup, which includes GS 450h, the RX 400h and the …

Kevin · June 7th, 2007

The LS 600h vs. the LS 460: Is the hybrid really worth the extra money?

Bruce McCulloch over at Autosavant asked the question “Does the 600h really offer any true advantage over the lesser LS460?” and came away with a resounding “NO!” Let’s summarize his major points: The 600h costs $35,000USD more than a similarly equipped 460. People buying a car in this price range ($100,000USD +) don’t really care …

Kevin · June 5th, 2007

UK Chauffeur First Choose Lexus

London-based UK company Chauffeur First has announced plans to go green by replacing their existing fleet with Lexus hybrids, namely the GS 450h and LS 600h. Chauffeur-First has already taken on 18 Lexus GS 450h performance saloons, all top-of-the-range SE-L models, with two of the new LS 600h luxury saloons due for delivery and a …

Kevin · June 4th, 2007

The LS600h is one of 2008’s Most Anticipated Luxury Cars

According to Forbes, the new Lexus LS600h is one of 2008’s most anticipated luxury cars. Hardly surprising, given that it’s the first hybrid available in the upper auto echelon. Other cars on the list: Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe Audi R8 Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster Infiniti G37 Cadillac CTS Maserati GranTurismo BMW M3 Porsche 911 …

Kevin · June 3rd, 2007

LS600h & LS600hL Hybrid Sedans Released in Japan

Lexus has released their ultra-mega hybrid LS600h & LS600hL sedans in Japan, and The Winding Road was good enough to share some photos and a host of exceptional numbers: The Japanese cost of the base model LS600h is ¥9.7 million, or $80,000USD, with the extended wheelbase LS600hL retailing for up to ¥15.1 million, or $125,000USD. …

Kevin · May 31st, 2007

Celebrity Watch: Rupert Murdoch

In a rather surprising move, Rupert Murdoch took time out from trying to buy the Wall Street Journal to announce his intention to bring News Corporation to a “carbon-neutral” state by 2010. As part of the campaign, Murdoch “has bought a Toyota-made Lexus GS450H “green” car, and other practical measures include solar-powered golf carts to …

Kevin · May 29th, 2007

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