Lexus has announced a full suite of new safety features that will debut with the new LS — called Lexus Safety System + A, the new technologies will add a degree of semi-autonomous driving assistance to the flagship sedan.

The amount of information here is staggering and will likely take some time to absorb. The press release mentions that the new system will be available in Japan, North America and Europe, but the specific markets have yet to be confirmed.

Pedestrian Alert & Active Steering Assist

The new LS is equipped with Pedestrian Alert, a world-first technology that can identify the walking direction of a pedestrian, and Active Steering Assist, which can automatically controls steering and braking.

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The Lexus ES & RX manufacturing plant in Kyushu, Japan, has received the Platinum award in the 2017 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study for producing vehicles with the fewest defects or malfunctions. This makes the factory the highest-performing manufacturing facility in the world.

The Lexus ES plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, and the Lexus GS plant in Motomachi, Japan, were also honored in the study, with both receiving a Silver award for their respective regions.

The results of the 2017 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study have been released, and the Lexus GS has placed first as the top Midsize Premium Car. The study examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership.

It’s in the broader industry rankings where Lexus is now struggling — after finishing 2016 tied for 7th overall with Lincoln and Buick, Lexus has fallen to 15th overall and below the industry average:

It’s worth pointing out that Lexus vehicles are not getting worse, the actual Problems Per 100 Vehicles (PP100) increased marginally from 96 to 98. Instead, the competition is getting much better, and it’s pushing Lexus further down the list.

(The largest issue is infotainment — Remote Touch has brought complexity to the Lexus interior, and it’s confusing new customers.)

Lexus is the best value luxury brand for SUVs & crossovers, according to the Vincentric Best Value In Canada Awards.

Along with the overall standing, three models in particular were singled out for value — the Lexus ES 300h was named the top Luxury Hybrid for the fifth year in a row, the NX 200t took the Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover category for the second year in a row, and the RX 350 scored highest for Luxury Mid-Size SUV/Crossover.

To determine its awards, Vincentric analyzed more than 1,800 vehicle configurations for the 2017 model year, measuring total cost-of-ownership using eight different cost factors: depreciation, fees and taxes, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, opportunity costs, and repairs. Using a statistical model addressing 18 different scenarios, Vincentric identified the winners by measuring which vehicles had lower than expected costs given their market segment and price.

Lexus UK will mark the official start of LC 500 & LC 500h sales by entering the new coupe in the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb on July 1st.

As a principal sponsor of this year’s festival, Lexus will have an extensive presence — a RC F GT3 race car will take part in the timed runs of the hillclimb, and the LFA will make an appearance in the Supercar Shoot-Out.

Here’s a wonderful photo gallery as an early teaser:

This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed is expected to draw crowds in excess of 200,000 people, and will run from June 29th to July 2nd.