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Archive for June, 2010

Lexus Earns Three Segment Awards in J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

Lexus Ties for Most Segment Awards of Any Nameplate
Production Facilities Earn Top Honors in Asia and North America

TORRANCE, Calif., June 17, 2010 — Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that its Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands received a combined six segment awards in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), more than any other manufacturer.

“We are very pleased to have earned the six segment awards and by the strong showing of our Lexus brand in the 2010 IQS,” said Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer, TMS. “However, the 2010 study was conducted at the height of intense media coverage of Toyota’s and Lexus’ recalls earlier this year, so we anticipated an impact on this specific ranking of these vehicles.”

Lentz continued: “The IQS 90-day feedback is one measurement – along with warranty claims, long-term durability, resale value and buyer loyalty – that helps us gauge the overall quality of our products. We stand behind our strong performance in these and other areas and remain firmly committed to ensuring the superior quality, safety and long-term value of our cars and trucks.”

Lexus LS Shows Fewest Quality Problems in the Industry
Lexus ranked fourth among all nameplates in the 2010 IQS with 88 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Among individual models, the Lexus LS earned the distinction of fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 55 PP100.

Lexus also captured three segment awards to tie for the most awards of any nameplate in this year’s study. These include the Lexus GS for Midsize Premium Car, the Lexus GX 460 for Midsize Premium Crossover/SUV, and the Lexus LS 460 for Large Premium Car. This is the third year in a row that the LS had placed first in its segment and the 10th time in 13 years that the LS has been at the top of its segment.

Production Facilities Earn Top Honors
Toyota production facilities once again took the top three honors in the Asia Pacific region for 2010. The Kyushu 2 plant (IS line, ES 350, RX line) earned the Gold Award with 32 PP100; the Tahara 3 plant (GS line, IS sedans, LS 460) earned the Silver Award with 33 PP100; and the Kyushu 1 plant (HS 250h, RX line) earned the bronze award with 37 PP100.

For the North and South America region, the Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, plant (RX 350) earned a Gold Award with 30 PP100.

Toyota Segment Awards Chart

Model IQS Segment Problems per 100
Lexus LS 460 Large Premium Car 55
Lexus GS Midsize Premium Car 75
Lexus GX 460 Midsize Premium Crossover/SUV 84

Two Lexus Models Make List of Consumers Top Rated Vehicles

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Edmunds.com, the automotive information service, announced Wednesday that Toyota and Lexus have three vehicles on the Edmunds.com 2010 list of Consumers Top Rated Vehicles. These awards recognize the vehicles that actual owners rate the highest, Edmunds.com noted.

The vehicles honored are the Toyota Highlander and Lexus IS 350C and ES 350.

The Edmunds.com recognition came one day after the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named three Toyota vehicles – the 2011 Sienna and Avalon and the 2010 Lexus RX – as Top Safety Picks for 2010.

For more information on Edmunds.com’s Consumers’ Top Rated Awards, please visit http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/press/163527/article.html.

Lexus LFA Supercar Adds Perfect Pitch to Its Legendary Pursuit of Perfection

Friday, June 4th, 2010

In a feat reserved for virtuoso performers no CGI, no camera tricks, a new commercial shows the Lexus LFA supercar elegantly shattering a crystal champagne flute in glorious slow motion using nothing but the unique sound of its 552-horsepower engine.

The new commercial, titled Pitch, will remind viewers of the brands iconic 1989 ad that featured a pyramid of champagne glasses on the hood of a revving Lexus LS.

Where that memorable commercial highlighted the precision engineering of the LS, the new ad showcases the LFA’s signature engine sound. The champagne flute shatters when the unique frequency or pitch of the LFA’s revving engine precisely matches the pitch of the crystal flute.

In fact, the note is so unique that Lexus has created an LFA ringtone that can be downloaded for free at http://www.lexus-lfa.com (click “Digital Premium.”)

“Pitch” can be viewed at YouTube.com/lexusvehicles

To read the press release, please visit:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/lexus/in-pursuit-of-the-perfect-pitch-159422.aspx.