Study: Detroit Gains Some Ground in Auto Quality Jun 23, 2009
At a time when Detroit is desperate to start turning out cars and trucks that people want to buy, the top two brands in the J.D. Power study were foreign cars: Lexus, Toyota's luxury line, and the Porsche ... It swept awards in 10 vehicle categories, and its plant in Japan that builds the Lexus SC 430 and Toyota Corolla took the award for top plant. (ABC News -- Wire)
Detroit Closes in on Toyota in Key Quality Measure Jun 23, 2009
Toyota Motor Corp's Lexus brand took the title for highest quality followed by Porsche. General Motors Corp's Cadillac was No. 3 in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study. (ABC News -- Wire)
Toyota OKs Founder's Grandson As Head Jun 23, 2009
The company, which makes the Camry sedan and Lexus luxury line, has been hit hard by the global slump, particularly in the U.S., Europe and its home market of Japan. Watanabe apologized to shareholders for Toyota's recent losses, and said directors would forego bonus pay. (KIRO TV, WA)
U.S. car quality jumps Jun 23, 2009
Asian nameplates continue to lead the pack, though, with buyers of Lexus vehicles, Toyota's luxury brand, experiencing the fewest problems, followed by Porsche ... Despite progress among domestic manufacturers, Toyota, including Scion and Lexus, earned the most top rankings in various market categories ... Toyota, Lexus and Scion products ranked at the top in 10 out of 14 different categories. (CNN -- Money)
GM Hopes New Buick LaCrosse Will Lure Young Buyers Jun 23, 2009
The midsize luxury sedan, designed to compete with Acura, Lexus and Toyota models, is key to attracting younger people to Buick, which now seems to be the official car of gated Florida retirement communities. With a median buyer age of 68 last year, Buick's marketing executives know that time is running out for them to pull young baby boomers, Generation X, and even Generation Y into the fold, or the brand is in serious trouble. (ABC News -- Wire)
J.D. Power: US Automakers Increase Quality but Still Trail F Jun 23, 2009
Lexus, Toyota Motor Corp.'s luxury line, was the top brand in J.D. Power's initial quality study, an annual survey of vehicle owners that measures mechanical and design problems in the first 90 days of ownership ... Its assembly facility in Higashi-Fuji, Japan, that builds the Lexus SC 430 and the Toyota Corolla took the J.D. Power's top plant award ... Top-performer Lexus had 84 problems per 100 vehicles, or 0. (Fox News)
Bicycle rack yields design for modular home Jun 21, 2009
"Their bicycles are the new Lexus. I even ride my bicycle to work every day.". But then where do you park it. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Nissan’s hybrid sedan a near-luxury fuel sipper Jun 20, 2009
Nissan photo - Without an Infiniti competitor to Lexus hybrids, Nissan is banking on the near-luxury options of the Altima hybrid ... The optional equipment is mostly luxury-based stuff, which leads me to believe the Altima Hybrid is Nissan s conservative man s answer to rival Lexus swelling ranks of hybrid models ... Lexus is doing cartwheels all over the competition with its hybrid offerings in versions of the GS, RX, LS and HS models. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Popular Prius punches through Toyota target Jun 20, 2009
Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, which also makes the Camry sedan and Lexus luxury models, recorded its worst loss in its seven-decade history for the fiscal year ended March. In Japan, hybrids are now tax-free, delivering savings of about 150 000 for a Prius buyer. (Business Report, South Africa)
Heat the major factor in Super GT challenge at Sepang Jun 20, 2009
Also burdened with a 60kg weight handicap are the Petronas-backed Toms Lexus SC430 team of Juichi Wakisaka-Andre Lotterer. Most Viewed. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Cooper-Standard credit at stake; company tries to restructure debt in next 30 days Jun 20, 2009
4 million from the same period in 08; and launched new product lines for the Mercedes E-Class, Lincoln MKS, Chevrolet Camaro and Lexus RS.. According to its Web site, Cooper-Standard Automotive employs approximately 16,000 people globally with more than 70 facilities throughout the world. (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Weather service: Another round of storms coming Jun 19, 2009
In LeRoy, where tree debris blocked several streets, Dave and Jill Warren lost their Lexus when an already-cracked tree outside their Mill Street home was knocked down by the strong winds. The tree smashed the rear the car and blew out a tire and some windows, Dave Warren said. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Heavier car but Lotterer is still confident of podium finish Jun 19, 2009
PETALING JAYA: Despite having to drive the second heaviest car in the fourth round of Japan s Super GT race on Sunday, Lexus Team Petronas Tom s Andre Lotterer will put up a fight for a podium finish at the Sepang circuit. Currently in second position after three rounds of the championships, the team s cars will have to carry a 60kg handicap weight. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
USGA: Despite economy, U.S. Open sold out Jun 18, 2009
He did say that the tournament's four corporate sponsors -- IBM, Lexus, American Express and the Royal Bank of Scotland -- did not waver about supporting this year's tournament at Bethpage Black. "In light of the economy, we have and will continue to take necessary steps to host clients in a more appropriate environment," said Joseph Goode, a spokesman for Bank of America Corp.. (ESPN -- Golf)
Father leaves voice message hours before allegedly shooting his kids Jun 18, 2009
Yet in the same call, Rosabal told his wife not to worry about the car, a late model Lexus ... That Lexus was registered to Rosabal ... His two children, Onassis Rosabal , 6, and Osiris Mendez, 8, were found dead inside the Lexus on Tuesday afternoon. (KHOU.com, TX)
Police believe dad shot kids in murder-attempted suicide Jun 17, 2009
A woman noticed the Lexus was running in the parking lot of the Inwood Gardens Apartments on Fairdale near Fountainview. When she looked inside, she saw the children and an adult male. (KHOU.com, TX)
MARTIN WINS: Veteran has enough left in the tank Jun 17, 2009
After Michigan win, Martin still sees room for improvement - USATODAY.com. After Michigan win, Martin still sees room for improvement. (USA Today -- Sports)
Cheaper Lexus hybrid Jun 17, 2009
Lexus RX450h hybrid more affordable - www ... Lexus RX450h hybrid more affordable ... While the Lexus RX350 brought price increases, the new RX450h hybrid car has benefitted from the Governments controversial tax break for more efficient vehicles. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Mazda3 zooms through the curves, but don't miss the indoor light show Jun 16, 2009
From Lexus to Ford Mustang, designers are trying out different colors, unusual backlighting and other effects. Some go further. (USA Today -- Money)
Toyota Says Hybrids Will Be Best 'Green' Car For Some Time Jun 6, 2009
Dealers in Japan have been so flooded with orders a customer ordering a Prius today won't get it until November or later, says Toyota, which also makes the Camry sedan and Lexus luxury models. In Japan, a government tax break for environment-friendly cars that began in April, part of an effort to stimulate the economy, has also helped sales. (W-USA News, DC)
Wheelin' And Dealin' Jun 6, 2009
Penske's publicly traded Penske Automotive Group is the second-largest auto retailer in the US, specializing in more than two dozen luxury brands including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Ferrari, Lexus, Acura, Land Rover, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Locally, the company owns dealers throughout the Tri- State area. (New York Post -- Business)
Chula Vista Restauranteur Found Dead In Tijuana Jun 4, 2009
The beaten body was discovered Monday inside a 2006 Lexus with California license plates at a Tijuana industrial park. Copyright 2009 by. (TheSanDiegoChannel.com, CA)
Toyota to start plug-in hybrid leasing Jun 3, 2009
Battered by the global slump and the strong yen, the maker of the Camry sedan and Lexus luxury models recorded its worst loss in its seven-decade history for the fiscal year ended March. Toyota dealers have received 110,000 orders for the Prius in Japan. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
* Lexus Cup becomes latest recession victim Jun 2, 2009
Lexus Cup becomes latest recession victim ... The global economic crisis has claimed another victim with the LPGA-sanctioned Lexus Cup canceled this year after the luxury car manufacturer said yesterday it was not renewing its sponsorship ... The Ryder Cup-style tournament, which pits an international team against a team from Asia, had been backed by Lexus, a unit of Toyota Motor Corp since 2005. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
New home for Lexus luxury Jun 2, 2009
When Lexus owners get their cars serviced at the Viera dealership opening in a few weeks they can expect a personal driver to take them to hit golf balls for free at a nearby country club ... And keep in mind, a Lexus owner doesn't even have to go in for vehicle servicing ... Such are the perks of owning a Lexus, where prices begin in the mid-$30,000 range and top out above $100,000. (Florida Today)
Delta Hotels and Resorts Launches Cross-Canada Summer Tour to Promote Volunteering Jun 1, 2009
About Toyota Canada Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus cars, SUVs and trucks, and Toyota industrial equipment ... TCI supports more than 300 Toyota, Lexus and Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers in Canada with services that include training, marketing and environmental and customer satisfaction initiatives ... Toyota's Canadian operations include automotive assembly plants in Cambridge, ON (Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix, Lexus RX 350) and... (Canada Newswire)
Taxpayers Foot Lawmakers' Bills... Jun 1, 2009
Lawmakers Bill Taxpayers For TVs, Cameras, Lexus - WSJ.com ... Lawmakers Bill Taxpayers For TVs, Cameras, Lexus ... Alcee Hastings spent $24,730 in taxpayer money last year to lease a 2008 luxury Lexus hybrid sedan. (The Drudge Report)
'There's water coming in the car. Come and get me!' May 31, 2009
Police have searched ponds, harbors, and rivers in Peabody and Lynn, but they have found no sign of Nunes or her two-year-old black Lexus ... John Nunes, 59, continues to pay the excise tax and car insurance bills for his wife's missing Lexus. (Boston Globe)
Winners And Losers In GM Bankruptcy May 31, 2009
He said that he had just finished tuning up a Toyota Camry and doing an Oil Change on a Lexus, that was it for the entire week. That was all he had to say. (CBS News)
Toyota Prius sales boom in Japan despite slowdown May 30, 2009
Toyota, which also makes Lexus luxury models and the Camry sedan, has said it is increasing Prius production to meet demand. But it is still expecting a 550 billion yen ($5. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
POWER PLUS: New Lexus revealed May 29, 2009
The latest, we've noticed, is the road-going version of Lexus's LF-A super coupe, which we believe is due to be revealed in showroom form at October's Tokyo Motor Show after first stunning us in 2005 as a concept car ... 0-litre V8 hybrid version is likely to use a similar drivetrain to the Lexus LS600hL petrol-electric limousine ... Expect pricing to fall somewhere north of the $400,000 mark; that's if the ongoing global cash crunch doesn't quash Lexus' desire to have a halo car sitting among... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
The Recession's Six Degrees Of Separation May 28, 2009
Please, keep up your uppity attitudes and identify yourselves by driving your Mercedes and BMW's and Lexus' and Hummers so they can readily identify you. Keep looking down on good people who through no fault of their own (meaning your fault) have fallen on hard times and see how long you last in the desperate scramble for survival that will ensue. (CBS News)
2010 Toyota Prius May 27, 2009
The $4,500 Advanced Technology Package includes the navigation system, as well as a dynamic cruise-control system, lane departure alert, and Intelligent Parking Assist (which you may have seen in Lexus TV commercials it more or less parallel-parks the car automatically). The Prius is now rated to get 51 mpg in the city and 48 on the highway (up from the previous Prius' 48/45). (BusinessWeek)
How To Avoid Car Dealer Rip Offs May 26, 2009
The $38,200 Lexus RX350 and $37,200 Audi Q5, for instance, are well-known crossover SUVs that offer similar benefits but very different impressions. 1. (ABC News -- Business)
Your views: Talk of the town May 26, 2009
Are they driving Lexus, BMWs and Porsches. Living on Lansing Island, Tortoise Island and Riverside Drive. (Florida Today)
Corrosive goop mystifies RDU May 26, 2009
67 in October 2006 after he spotted a tiny white stalactite on the garage ceiling, about four inches long, that had dribbled goop on the door of his white Lexus. "It took the clear-coat finish right off -- the paint wasn't shiny there any more," said Engel, 49. (News & Observer)
Disco fever invades Plano May 23, 2009
Renshaw won the summer in a Lexus package and will choose between an RX 350 and an ES 350 to drive for the summer ... Clark said her mostly 16-year-old students have all offered suggestions as to which Lexus she should choose ... She said the Lexus will only be her second new car. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Toyota Becomes First Exclusive Auto Sponsor on EBay May 22, 2009
" In some ways, Toyota is following tracks left online by Lexus, its luxury sibling brand, and by its rival Nissan . Last year, Lexus paid MSN to build and act as host for a site called Luxury for Living, featuring Lexus promotional material but many other offerings, too, including information on topics like luxury hotels and high-technology houses. This month, MSN and Lexus announced that eight million consumers had visited the site by December 2003. The companies agreed to keep the site... (Yahoo News -- Electronic Commerce)
Deal or No Dealership May 21, 2009
(Luxury car companies like Lexus explicitly forbid dealers from using the words price or sale in their ads. . (Slate)
Toyota to Hold 35th Annual Safety Event for Children May 20, 2009
91 million vehicles in 170 countries and regions under the Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu, and Hino brands. For more information, please visit. (JCN Network, Japan)
GM ends Kaneohe Chevy franchise May 19, 2009
Servco s primary business is driven by the sale of Toyota, Lexus, Scion, Subaru and Suzuki vehicles. GM announced last week it would not renew franchise agreements at 1,100 U.S. dealerships when they expire in 2010. (Pacific Business News, HI)
Vishing: Do you really know who's calling? May 19, 2009
FromMagnussens Lexus of Fremont. 2003 F-150. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Mike Doughty Live in Vancouver at S... May 18, 2009
White Lexus and encore Looking at the World from the Bottom of a Well sound particularly lush. The Only Answer from his debut solo CD-R Skittish, is tonight s fab fake last song , ie the song he ll play before the last song, Soul Coughing s Janine , after which Scrap and Doughty will turn around in their chairs to pretend they left the stage, before rotating round and playing two more tracks. (Suite101.com)
Toyota Monday rolled out the new hybrid Prius May 18, 2009
Toyota - which also makes the Camry sedan and Lexus luxury models - has long been the leader in the hybrid market, having sold a cumulative 1. 256 million Prius cars in more than 40 nations and regions, making the model the top-seller among hybrids. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
The Big Money: Good GM/bad GM May 17, 2009
Toyota, by contrast, has no difficulty graduating consumers from its core brand to its Lexus luxury division. Likewise Honda with its Acura division. (MSNBC -- Business)
GM cancels Windward Chevrolet dealer's contract May 17, 2009
Servco Pacific, which owns the Windward Chevrolet dealership, also sells Toyota, Lexus, Scion, Subaru and Suzuki. "This is another sign of the tough times the auto industry is facing," said Mark Fukunaga, Servco Pacific chairman and chief executive officer. (Honolulu Advertiser)
TiVo Reports Stop||Watch(TM) Ratings Service Results for March 2009 May 16, 2009
Lexus Trucks RX 30 Rock - NBC 5 - Mar 5. 9 Top Programs - Timeshifted Viewing Program Date Rating 1. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Short Utility Vehicle May 16, 2009
That's several thousand dollars less than the slightly larger competition from BMW, Audi and even Lexus, not to mention the Mercedes-Benz C350 sedan. Size aside, you won't feel short-changed. (Fox News)
Stars of the showroom May 16, 2009
Others, like the $37,915 Chevrolet Tahoe, $27,045 Hyundai Veracruz, $36,800 Lexus RX and two models from Land Rover, proved that crossover and sport-utility vehicles aren't going anywhere, even if they are getting a bit smaller. James Bell, the editor of Intellichoice. (MSNBC -- Business)
Lexus IS convertibles ready to sweep away your troubles May 16, 2009
As chief engineer in the product planning section of Lexus, he thinks the newIS 250C and 350Cconvertibles going on sale in a month will stand apart because they have more spacewhere travelers need it the most -- in the trunk ... The IS convertibles, still considered "entry-level luxury" by Lexus, are the first droptopsforthe brand since the in 2001 ... Lexus officials like that the convertible was easy to develop off the IS sedans, and think it will represent a new opportunity in the... (USA Today -- Money)
Restyled 2010 Mustang a head-turner May 16, 2009
The Mustang's price range compares favorably with other sporty convertibles, which include the front-drive Pontiac G6 GXP and rear-drive models such as the Audi S5, BMW 335ci and Lexus IS350c. The Mustang's new look and features come at a good time, as the latest version of Ford's classic pony car faces competition from new sporty coupes like the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. (Herald Online, SC -- Lifestyles)
Kellie Watson Diary Entry From Europe - Day 5 May 15, 2009
We saw the Changing of the Guard in front of the palace, and even Prince Albert of Monaco rode by us in the back of a Lexus. We had lunch by the harbor where unbelievable yachts were sitting. (Und.com)
EconWatch: Chrysler Preps To Close Dealerships May 14, 2009
GM only improved their fit and finish after Lexus launched their ball bearing on body seam advertising. GM, Ford and Chrysler are reactive rather than proactive to quality and engineering issues. (CBS News -- US)
Police Log, May 4 to May 10 May 14, 2009
12:51 p.m. A Lexington woman driving a 2007 Lexus near the intersection of Park Avenue and Rutledge Road reportedly struck a 1995 Toyota driven by a Belmont man, forcing it into a 2001 Saturn driven by an Arlington man. The Belmont man was taken to a local hospital. (Belmont Citizen Herald, MA)
Toyota sees dramatic losses, enters time of perseverance,’ says president May 11, 2009
Throughout much of last year, its sales were booming, thanks to the popularity of its Camry sedan, Lexus luxury line and Prius hybrids. It rode its sterling reputation for quality and mileage to pass up GM last year as the world s largest automaker by annual sales. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Police prepare for car show May 9, 2009
Two of the largest clubs that will be back this year will be Nissan Infiniti Car Owners and Northeast Lexus Owners Club. Top Flight judging will now be part of the F4 Challenge, a new platform in automotive showmanship that features the best of the best going head-to-head. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Buckley's stories a great journey May 9, 2009
He wants to coach because when he goes back to the Lexus Centre he knows lots of people, but he's not part of it any more. In a footy club, he says, you're either in or you're out. (The Age, Australia -- Sport)
Comedian Rodney Carrington keeps fans guessing May 9, 2009
"We did 44 episodes and ABC decided to go with the Lexus crowd." In other words, Carrington's family jokes (heavy on the Wal-Mart, served with a side of NASCAR) didn't appeal to the urban crowd they thought would buy luxury cars. Lesson learned. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Toyota sees losses growing this year May 8, 2009
The maker of the Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models had been forecasting a 350 billion yen net loss for the just-ended fiscal year, and analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected Toyota's net loss to total about 373 billion yen. For the January-March period in 2008 _ back when the Japanese automaker's sales were booming _ Toyota had recorded a net profit of 316. (Northwest Indiana Times)
[ more... ] May 7, 2009
Lexus Launches 'IS 250C' in Japan. Lexus Launches 'IS 250C' in Japan ... Tokyo, May 7, 2009 - (JCN Newswire) - Lexus announces the launch in Japan today of the "IS250C" convertible, an addition to the "IS250" "intelligent sports sedan" series. (JCN Network, Japan)
Hyundai hopes the luxury Equus sedan finds a niche in U.S. May 7, 2009
It's exploring whether Equus, an updated large sedan that just went on sale in South Korea, can take on the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Lexus LS 460L in America ... Buyers so far have included those moving over from entry-level Lexus or BMW 3 Series, as well as those trading in Toyota Avalons or other large non-luxury sedans, says Art Spinella of CNW Marketing Research. (USA Today -- Money)
College Graduates Offered a Break on New Toyota and Scion Vehicles May 7, 2009
Qualified college graduates receiving the $1,000 rebate are also eligible for the College Graduate Finance Program (applicable for all new Toyota/Lexus/Scion models) which offers a highly competitive APR/lease and special incentives such as ... Lexus Financial Services is the brand for financial products for Lexus dealers and customers. (PR Newswire)
Consumer Reports Survey Reveals Higher Satisfaction With Independent Auto Mechanics May 5, 2009
Among the top scoring in dealership maintenance satisfaction were Lexus, Buick, and Acura, with 85, 83 and 82 percent satisfaction rates, respectively. At the other end of the spectrum, Volkswagen, Suzuki, Jeep, and Nissan owners were far less satisfied with dealer service at 67, 69, 70, and 70 percent respectively. (PR Newswire)
Latest road tests May 4, 2009
Lexus takes on its German soft-roader rivals by packing the RX350 with plenty of goodies. More. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Smith: Get charmed by Union Point May 2, 2009
People here don't necessarily have a lot - didn't see a Lexus or a BMW, but did spot a pickup truck on every corner - but they do have community esprit de corps and overwhelming charm. Union Point, however, has had its brush with tragedy. (Athens Banner-Herald)
