It is further reward for a groundbreaking initiative which has seen thousands of passengers enjoy Lexus’ unique Omotenashi hospitality in stylish and luxurious surroundings. The lounge concept complements the distinctive attention to luxury detail the brand invests in its cars, anticipating the needs and preferences of travellers and drivers alike.  

Dominique Bloch, THE LOFT Project Manager at Lexus Europe, commented: “Lexus has brought its spirit of Omotenashi and Making Luxury Personal to life in THE LOFT, not only through the lounge's design, but also by inspiring the lounge staff, creating a unique experience for passengers. We’re proud of the teams who have so naturally embraced and embodied Lexus values; this award is for them.”

Yves Bernaerts, Lounge Manager, Brussels Airlines, said: “This lounge has been recognised seven times as Europe’s Leading Airline Lounge because we never took the award for granted. Over the years we have consistently worked to ensure that we remain at the top.”

The original concept for the lounge took Lexus beyond the automotive world to expand its profile as an international luxury brand. Focusing on the principle of Omotenashi, the venue was designed to offer guests the highest level of hospitality service, anticipating their needs and providing them with a welcoming place in which to relax, work or recharge. 

Facilities included individual spa rooms with Grohe showers; dedicated spaces for work or relaxation; shiatsu massage chairs; and sleep rooms with starlight-effect ceilings. Hot and cold food is served and the venue even has its own in-house chocolatier. Visitors to the lounge, which extends to more than 2,000m², are welcomed by Lexus ambassadors, who have earned particular praise for their exceptional efforts to ensure all guests enjoy the best possible experience.

Lexus is delighted to celebrate the winners of the 2025 Lexus Kiwami Awards, recognising the top-performing centres across its European region.

Since their introduction in 2016, the Kiwami (“outstanding excellence”) Awards have highlighted the dedication and innovation of our retailers. With more than 340 official Lexus centres eligible this year, the level of competition and achievement has been truly inspiring.

This year, 19 retailers have been recognised for their exceptional business performance and their commitment to delivering the unique Lexus experience, defined by “Omotenashi” hospitality. Each winner embodies our philosophy of ‘making luxury personal’, with retailer staff demonstrating exceptional attention to detail—not only in how they prepare for every customer interaction, but in every aspect of their day-to-day operations. This dedication ensures that every guest is treated with the care and consideration reserved for someone welcomed into one’s home.

Andre Schmidt, Head of Lexus and Omnichannel Experience at Toyota Motor Europe, commented: “The Kiwami Awards are a testament to the passion and dedication of our retailer partners. Each winner has demonstrated not only outstanding business performance, but also a deep commitment to delivering a one-of-a-kind personalised hospitality that defines Lexus. My sincere congratulation goes to all this year’s winners—your achievements are an inspiration to the whole Lexus family in Europe to continuously raise the bar for excellence. And it is exactly this relentless focus on delighting our customer that is fuelling our growth in Europe”

Our winners have enjoyed an unforgettable three-day experience in Budapest from 11th to 13th September, blending immersive team-building, a gala evening, and creative cultural activities inspired by the city’s rich traditions. It was an inspiring mix of creativity, challenge, collaboration and celebration—an experience beyond the ordinary.

Congratulations to all our winners for setting new standards in business and customer service. Your passion and commitment continue to drive Lexus forward.

The 2025 Kiwami Award winners:

Lexus Bergamo - Italy

Lexus Cambridge – United Kingdom

Lexus Coruña-Vigo - Spain

Lexus Frankfurt - Germany

Lexus Fréjus - France

Lexus Galway - Ireland

Lexus Haifa - Israel

Lexus Kifisias - Greece

Lexus Leipzig - Germany

Lexus Odesa - Ukraine

Lexus Orléans - France

Lexus Ostrava – Czech Republic

Lexus Sevilla - Spain

Lexus Shymkent - Kazakhstan

Lexus Stoke - United Kingdom

Lexus Szczecin - Poland

Lexus Tbilisi - Georgia

Lexus Vicenza - Italy

Lexus Warszawa-Wola - Poland

This year, 17 retailers have been recognised for both their business achievements and an exceptional level of customer service that delivers uniquely Lexus “Omotenashi” hospitality. In essence, this treats every customer with the care and attention to detail that would be extended to a guest in the home, reinforcing the Lexus’ principle of “making luxury personal”.

Pascal Ruch, Toyota Motor Europe Vice President for Lexus, commented: “This is an exciting time for our retailers as we work with them on our programme for future electrified models and maximising the opportunities offered by digitalisation. At the same, we are maintaining our human-centred approach, ensuring that we give our customers a great experience, whether they are visiting our centres in person or through our digital channels.

“My congratulations go to this year’s winners, each of whom has attained exceptional levels of business performance and service.”

The Kiwami (“outstanding excellence”) Awards were introduced in 2016 and this year more than 340 official Lexus retailers were eligible for consideration across Europe.

This years’ winners are being rewarded with a four-day event in Norway (June 28th to July 1st), including an electrification fact finding and best practice sharing, a gala dinner, and opportunities to enjoy spectacular landscapes with hiking and fjord expeditions.

The 2024 Kiwami Award winners

Lexus Astana – Kazakhstan

Lexus Baku – Azerbaijan            

Lexus Bologna – Italy

Lexus Dnipro – Ukraine

Lexus Hull – United Kingdom

Lexus Ipswich – United Kingdom

Lexus Kifisias – Greece

Lexus Madrid Norte – Spain

Lexus Mühldorf – Germany

Lexus Osnabrück – Germany

Lexus Palma de Mallorca – Spain

Lexus Pays-Basque – France

Lexus Průhonice – Czech Rep.

Lexus Shymkent – Kazakhstan

Lexus Szczecin – Poland

Lexus Treviso – Italy

Lexus Warszawa-Wola – Poland

• The RZ 450e is Lexus’ first Battery Electric Vehicle on a dedicated platform
• Auto Moto magazine recognizes “the best decarbonized car of the year”

The Lexus RZ 450e crossover has won the Gold Award for Green Car of the Year at the 2023 Grand Prix Auto Moto in France. The award judges, the editorial team of leading magazine Auto Moto, recognized the RZ as “the best decarbonized car of the year.” Judging criteria included purchase and ownership costs, practicality, and driving pleasure. The trophy was presented to Martin Millot, Marketing Department Head of Lexus France, at a ceremony in Paris in October.

The RZ 450e is the first Lexus model specifically developed as an all-electric vehicle. Its aim is to provide not only emissions-free driving, but also to harness the full potential of electric vehicles to reinvent the driving experience, true to the Lexus Electrified philosophy.

The RZ is also the first model to benefit from Lexus’ new, compact e-Axles. These work, at front and rear, in conjunction with the new DIRECT4 intelligent all-wheel-drive system. This exclusive Lexus technology automatically adjusts driving force distribution between front and rear in response to driving conditions, which also improves energy efficiency.

In addition to the advantages of DIRECT4, the RZ’s dedicated EV platform offers optimal manoeuvrability and responsiveness thanks to its excellent rigidity, low centre of gravity, and long wheelbase. A powerful lithium-ion battery is integrated into the chassis under the cabin floor.

The RZ’s all-electric powertrain and dedicated platform allow for new design freedoms. The vehicle stands out from the crowd because of its distinctive exterior design, while the interior is a clear and open space, both simple and luxurious, expressing Lexus’ Omotenashi hospitality and Takumi craftsmanship. 

• Esteemed award voted for by lounge guests and travel industry leaders
• The exclusive luxury lounge concept remains a benchmark for business travellers
• THE LOFT’s sophisticated design and craftsmanship echoes that of Lexus cars

THE LOFT at Brussels Airport has been again named “Europe’s Leading Airline Lounge 2023” at the prestigious World Travel Awards. The announcement was made last Friday evening at an exclusive gala ceremony in Batumi - Georgia, attended by selected decision-makers, influencers and media from travel, tourism and hospitality. Conceived, crafted and curated by Brussels Airlines and Lexus, THE LOFT lounge has claimed this accolade each year since it opened in 2018.

“Winning this prestigious award for the fifth consecutive time, while having to compete against lounges of globally known airlines, is a real honour. It’s a recognition for our hard work every day, creating a space where people feel at home. I want to thank our guests for their trust in us, all our partners for the great collaboration and of course our team for propagating Belgian hospitality,” comments Olivier Brynaert, Head of Customer Experience, Brussels Airlines.

“This award reaffirms The LOFT as a tangible expression of our brand promise to ‘experience amazing’, and to win it for the fifth time in a row, shows our and all partners unwavering commitment to improve year on a year in a world of fast changing customer expectations”, comments Tommaso Grassi, Head of Communications & Customer Experience at Lexus Europe.

“With its blend of Lexus Takumi craftsmanship and Japanese Omotenashi hospitality, the LOFT offers a uniquely personal luxury experience for the business traveller.

The same purpose has driven the development of the last model of our electrified range, the New Lexus LM, that pushes the boundaries of ultimate in car passenger experience.”

Across more than 2,000 m², the lounge divides into luxury areas with distinctive ambiences, including a central bar, comfortable seating zones and a break-out space for undisturbed working. Iconic Lexus design elements characterise the space, including detailing from the Lexus signature grille, Lexus library and a Mark Levinson audio system.  

On entering THE LOFT, guests are greeted with bespoke touches such as a personal welcome and traditional warm Oshibori towels. They can relax with a wide array of digital newspapers in Lexus LS-like shiatsu massage chairs, enjoy the extra-sensory Grohe shower suites or take a refreshing nap in a bedroom with starlit ceiling, before savouring the fine catering which includes exclusive delights from a Neuhaus maître chocolatier.

THE LOFT at Brussels Airport draws on the award-winning INTERSECT BY LEXUS brand space in Tokyo. This unique airline lounge concept was inspired by Lexus luxury, design and the traditional Japanese Omotenashi hospitality, which centres on anticipating a guest’s needs even before they do.

Lexus Brand Ambassadors welcome guests in THE LOFT each day from 5 am till 9 pm. More information on THE LOFT by Brussels Airlines and Lexus can be found at: THE LOFT By Lexus | Lexus Europe.

ABOUT THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, its programme is the most prestigious and comprehensive in the industry, with in excess of 2 million votes being cast.

The 80^th Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia – reached its climax on Saturday with the traditional presentation of awards, including the coveted Golden Lion for best picture. While the festival celebrated leading cinematic achievement from around the world, Lexus was proud to have completed its duties as Official Car provider for a seventh consecutive year – a role that allowed it to present its own new “star,” the LBX.

This brand-new electrified “breakthrough crossover” shared the red carpet spotlight with some of the best-known names in world cinema. The famous faces included directors Yorgos Lanthimos – this year’s Golden Lion winner – Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola and Liliana Cavani, and actors Adam Driver, Caterina Murino – the “godmother” of this year’s festival – Bar Refaeli, Patrick Dempsey, Charlotte Rampling and Carla Bruni.

The LBX luxury compact SUV will open an important new market for the brand: designed for the European market, it presents a casually elegant style that will resonate with a younger customer base.  It was joined in Vencie by a  fleet of Lexus electrified models, including the RX  turbocharged hybrid, NX plug-in hybrid and all-electric RZ, was on hand to carry VIP guests to and from screenings and events on the Venice Lido. These vehicles were joined by the all-new LM, Lexus’ new “luxury mover” people carrier that will be joining the European range later this year.

Paolo Moroni, Director of Lexus Italy, said: “We were honoured to have attended the festival for a seventh year. To make this unique occasion even more memorable, were able to contribute our own star, the new LBX, a car that’s designed for a new audience that values luxury, design and sustainability.”

Lexus Europe has revealed the 2023 winners of the annual Kiwami Awards, which recognise how retail partners play a crucial role in delighting customers with their vehicle ownership experience. From 315 retailers across Europe, the 10 best retailers are awarded for making luxury personal through exceptional customer-focus in both sales and aftersales.

The Kiwami (meaning “Outstanding Excellence”) Awards originated seven years ago as part of Lexus’ commitment to Omotenashi, the ancient Japanese philosophy of hospitality. This philosophy has been a cornerstone of the Lexus brand since its inception in 1989 – and while Lexus strives to achieve the highest standards of Omotenashi in all areas of business, so too do its retailers. This means that retailers treat each customer as if they were a guest in their own home.

Praising the award winners, Pascal Ruch, TME Vice President in charge of Lexus Europe, said: “This is a fantastic achievement which is only possible through strong leadership, teamwork, and continuous focus on Omotenashi, ensuring that all our customers ‘Experience Amazing’.”

A special recognition for their Excellence has been awarded to 2 out of the 10 Retailers for winning the Kiwami Award for the 3^rd year, Lexus Romerike (Norway), and 4^th year, Lexus Osnabrück (Germany).

Each winning retailer has been invited to a 4-day trip in Venice during the Venice International Film Festival, from August 31^st to September 3^rd. They could experience amazing by discovering no less than 9 exclusive spots, outside of any tourist program and tailor-made to provide them with a unique Venice ‘s Laguna Experience. The 10 winning retailers ended their exceptional trip as VIP guests to the Venice Film Festival where Lexus is Official Car sponsor since 2017.

The 2023 winners are:

• Lexus Fréjus – France
• Lexus Osnabrück – Germany
• Lexus Szeged – Hungary
• Lexus Herzliya – Israel
• Lexus Brescia – Italy
• Lexus Shymkent – Kazakhstan
• Lexus Romerike – Norway
• Lexus Katowice – Poland
• Lexus Coruña-Vigo – Spain
• Lexus Coventry – United Kingdom

(Winners by country in alphabetic order)

Auto Trader is one of the largest online sales websites for used and new cars in the UK.

It is the fourth time in five years Lexus has earned the title, which is determined by the real-world experiences and opinions of more than 220,000 UK car owners who responded to Auto Trader’s annual survey.

Erin Baker, Auto Trader Editorial Director, said: “Quality, reliability and comfort were three characteristics that came out of our survey. As one owner said – ‘I wish that I had bought a Lexus years ago, it’s the best car that I have driven and I would never go back to another model’.”

Chris Hayes, Director of Lexus in the UK, said: “In a fast-changing and highly competitive market, reliability remains a top priority for customers. It’s a quality that has always been at the heart of Lexus and it remains so as we deliver our new generation of electrified models. Receiving this award for a fourth time reflects the enduring strength of our reputation with customers who put their trust in our cars and services.”

The well-proven reliability of Lexus cars is backed by an unmatched peace-of-mind warranty programme, Lexus Relax. This provides up to 10 years/160,000 km of cover for all Lexus models, at no additional cost, subject to the vehicle being serviced in an authorised Lexus workshop*.

*Terms and conditions apply, for details visit Lexus Relax | Lexus Europe.

Lexus also received two model-level awards, for NX and RX.

Toyota Motor Corporation received the most model-level awards, six, of all manufacturers, for the Toyota C-HR, Highlander, Sienna and Tacoma in addition to the two Lexus models.

The 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from 30,062 original owners of 2020 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study was fielded from August through November 2022.

For more details, click here.

About J.D. Power

J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modelling capabilities to understand consumer behaviour, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world’s leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies. J.D. Power is headquartered in Troy, Mich., and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

What Car?  is a leading consumer champion and car-buying platform in the UK. Announcing the result, the platform declared: “There isn’t an unreliable model in the entire Lexus line-up.”

Almost 25,000 UK owners of cars up to five years old took part in the survey, reporting whether they had experienced any problems with their vehicle and if so, how long they took to fix and the cost of any repairs. Lexus once again emerged as the most reliable brand among the 32 featured in the survey, achieving an overall score of 98.4 per cent. Its closest rival was its sister manufacturer, Toyota.

Remarking on the result, Steve Huntingford, What Car? Editor, said: “That means whether you choose a premium priced or affordable model, you can expect the most exemplary standard of reliability.”

All the Lexus models covered by the survey achieved scores of 96 per cent or higher and four of them were placed in the top three in their class. The CT 200h was the most reliable family car and sixth best-performing model overall with a 99.3 per cent rating; the UX 250h was 10th placed overall and third in the small SUV class on 99 per cent; and the IS was the most reliable among executive models on 98.3 per cent. Completing the clean sweep of success, the first generation NX was described as being “virtually bullet-proof”.

Lexus is seeking innovative ideas that contribute to a thriving and a better future for all through the power of design and technology. Applicants will explain how their creative concept puts into practice the Lexus brand's three key principles: Anticipate, Innovate and Captivate. The design must anticipate global challenges to societies, envision inventive ways to reach a sustainable future, and seamlessly enhance the happiness of all. Lexus seeks engaging, insightful, and original designs that honor both form and function while offering actionable solutions to hasten the arrival of a brighter future for humanity in a variety of scenarios and situations.

"Over the past decade, environmental and other issues have ballooned along with the need for solutions. With the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD, we have welcomed and recognized emerging creators of foresight and creative brilliance who apply the power of design to the challenges of building a better tomorrow for all. I eagerly await the fresh talent and impactful ideas that debut at LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2023." Said Simon Humphries, Head of Toyota & Lexus Global Design.

A judging committee of elite, internationally recognized design experts will select four winners from among the entries based on the judging criteria. Winners will be mentored by leading creators in diverse design disciplines. Each winner will be allocated a research and development budget of up to 3 million Japanese yen as a design grant to cover not only prototype construction, but also other relevant expenses involved in refining their concept and design and supporting the individual’s creative development. This once-in-a-lifetime mentoring experience is at the heart of the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD's reputation for excellence. In the spring of 2023, the four winners will reveal their progress to judges and mentors by presenting their finished work for review.

After revealing their work, the award winners will have the priceless opportunity to consult one-on-one with the judging panel. In addition to receiving feedback on their work, the winners share their visions and receive advice on the career path and aspirational goals that would further their success as creators.

Mentors and judging committee members will be announced this fall.

For more information, please visit LexusDesignAward.com.   

Official Hashtag: #lexusdesignaward

CALL FOR ENTRIES TO THE LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2023 COMPETITION

ABOUT LEXUS DESIGN AWARD

Launched in 2013, the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD is an international competition for up-and-coming creators from around the world. The Award seeks to contribute to society by supporting designers and creators whose work shows potential to shape a better future. Four winners gain a rare opportunity to prototype their designs under the mentorship of leading designers. The LEXUS DESIGN AWARD provides global media exposure to drive professional career advancement.

Ten outstanding retailers have been recognised in the 2022 Kiwami Awards, which celebrate the highest standards of customer experience in both sales and aftersales across more than 340 retailers in 28 markets.

The awards, now in their sixth year, are an internal initiative rooted in the concept of Omotenashi, the ancient Japanese philosophy of hospitality which centres on treating each customer as if they were a guest in our home, and which influences all aspects of the Lexus brand.  

Digitisation across all retail sectors, accelerated by the Covid pandemic, is changing communication methods and approaches used to support customers. The focus at Lexus remains to provide choice and convenience with a human touch via a seamless integrated Lexus Experience, be it at the centre itself or remotely.

Dealer principals from each successful retailer received their Kiwami awards at a ceremony on July 3^rd in Madrid, as part of an exclusive week-end that allowed them to drive the all new RZ and RX and discover the BEV Sport concept just presented at Goodwood Festival of Speed in UK. 

Next to the ten 2022 Kiwami winners, winners from 2021 & 2020 also joined this edition in the absence of rewarding trip the last 2 years. 

A special recognition for their Excellence has been awarded to the first Retailers winning the Kiwami Award for “3 consecutive years”: Lexus Padova (Italy), Lexus Sabadell (Spain) & Lexus Tbilisi (Georgia).

“Taking care of the customer through an experience that is both personal and amazing is at the very heart of the Lexus Brand, and these awards showcase this”, commented Pascal Ruch, TME Vice President in charge of Lexus Europe.

Last year, Lexus ranked again as Number 1 Brand in Customer Service for New Vehicle (NCBS) and after Sales. (IACS)

The winners of the 2022 Kiwami Awards are (in alphabetical order):  

In total, 13,773 Norwegian car owners participated in AutoIndex 2022, the most comprehensive satisfaction survey in the country, rating cars registered in the period 2018-2021. The survey is carried out annually by Loyalty Group International.

"Reaching the first place in AutoIndex for 11 years in a row confirms that Lexus is in a class of its own in terms of quality and customer care," said Mikkel Korntved, Senior Vice President and Senior Advisor at Loyalty Group International. "They have established a unique corporate culture that ensures that it is easy and convenient to be a Lexus customer in everyday life. This overall experience differentiates Lexus from other car brands in Norway."

"In recent years we have opened several new retailers, and last year we set a sales record in Norway, but we have always been true to our strategy of delivering a different customer experience. The success is not only due to the fact that we deliver quality cars with character. It is also due to our efforts to make good service and customer care an integral and natural part of the brand. We know our customers really appreciate that. Our cars are produced in Japan, but the customer experience is produced in Norway”, comments Lexus Norway Director Jan Christian Holm.

The results of the 2021 survey of more than 16,000 UK drivers produced an overall rating of 98.7 per cent for Lexus, with What Car? reporting that, in the few instances where problems with a Lexus car occurred, most were resolved free of charge.

Steve Huntingford, What Car? Editor, remarked on Lexus’s history of success in the award: “If you’re a gambler after a safe bet, putting your money on Lexus finishing first in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey is about as good as it gets. The luxury brand not only topped the table in 2021, but has done so on four previous occasions and has never finished lower than second. If iron-clad reliability is your top concern, look no further.”

Chris Hayes, Director of Lexus in the UK, commented: “This award reaffirms our reputation for building exceptionally reliable cars and, true to our customer-first approach, dealing with any issues that do arise promptly and fairly. While we have a great track record, we do not take this status for granted: we have a constant focus on improving quality and ensuring that every new vehicle we deliver will provide year after year of reliable performance.”

Now in its tenth edition, the Lexus Design Award continues to evolve since its launch in 2013 with the mission of supporting and nurturing young creators. The Lexus Design Award program identifies promising talent whose fresh ideas receive a high-profile cross-media introduction on an established platform respected by the global creative community. Finalists were chosen for their original solutions contributing to a better tomorrow, while articulating the Lexus brand's three core principles — Anticipate, Innovate, and Captivate; while seamlessly enhancing the happiness of all.

Lexus Design Award 2022 Finalists

• Chitofoam by Charlotte Böhning & Mary Lempres (dual USA - Germany and dual USA - Norway, based in USA)

A biodegradable packaging solution derived from the exoskeletons of mealworms that have digested polystyrene foam waste.

• Hammock Wheelchair by Wondaleaf (Malaysia)

A combination wheelchair, forklift and hammock for reducing the manual lifting of patients by caregivers.

• Ina Vibe by Team Dunamis (Nigeria)

A sustainable cooking, charging and lighting product.

• Rewind by Poh Yun Ru (Singapore)

A platform that leverages multi-sensory stimulation to prompt meaningful recollection for seniors with dementia.

• Sound Eclipse by Kristil & Shamina (Russia)

A noise cancelling device that reduces noise from outside when placed near an open window.

• Tacomotive by Kou Mikuni (Japan)

A tangible driving simulator for children with visual and aural challenges.

Lexus Design Award 2022 judge Anupama Kundoo said, “I was impressed by the creators’ sensitivity to real-life issues faced by individuals with disabilities and the challenges facing society, such as sustainable coexistence with nature. The mentoring process will optimize the impact of the finalists’ designs. I greatly enjoyed working with such a diverse jury and finding so much alignment. Where there were different perspectives, those too were complementary and aligned in their core values.”

Earlier in January, the six finalists participated in a five-day workshop with four mentors: Sam Baron, Joe Doucet, Sabine Marcelis, and Yosuke Hayano. Interacting directly with these leading lights, the finalists received professional guidance to explore the potential of their ideas and help bring them to life. Finalists will continue working with mentors to flesh-out their prototypes throughout the three months or so leading up to the Grand Prix.

In Spring 2022 the judging panel, comprising renowned creative visionaries Paola Antonelli, Anupama Kundoo, Bruce Mau and Simon Humphries, will select the Grand Prix Winner based on the finalists’ presentations of how their prototypes put their design concepts into practice.

In exclusive individual follow-up sessions, the six finalists will receive personalized consultations with each of the panel members to explore career paths and give a flying start to their further professional development.

* For more information, please visit LexusDesignAward.com

Official Hashtag: #lexusdesignaward

Chitofoam

Chitofoam is a material research project that reuses discarded polystyrene foam as food for mealworms, and then utilizes their exoskeletons such as their discarded shells. It has been found that mealworms can safely digest polystyrene, and biopolymers made from chitosan extracted from their exoskeleton will be used to create an environmentally friendly alternative to polystyrene foam.

By Charlotte Böhning (dual USA - Germany) & Mary Lempres  (dual USA - Norway)

Based in USA, Charlotte Böhning & Mary Lempres are classmates pursuing their Master's of Industrial Design at the Pratt Institute. They have respective backgrounds in development and behavioural economics, chemistry, and fine art. Their collaborative design practice is centered on material-driven innovation, empathic technologies, and human-centric factors.

Hammock Wheelchair

By combining features of a wheelchair, forklift, and hammock, caregivers can move and transfer patients without having to manually lift them. A cloth with tunnel casings acts as a pallet, while a wheelchair with two prongs acts like a forklift.

By Wondaleaf (Alex Wong, Reuben Tang, Louis Tang, Wong Ping Ming, John Tang, Lau Yien Yien and Sii How Sing), based in Malaysia

The team members of Wondaleaf are part of a medical device innovation company.  Each member specializes in different aspects of the design and production process. After some team members had difficulty caring for patients after running a nursing home, they partnered to design a device to assist caregivers and patients at these facilities.

Ina Vibe

Ina Vibe is a lightweight, portable gas-powered cooking burner/stove with a thermoelectric generator that harnesses heat energy to generate sustainable, affordable and clean electricity, making it possible to cook, charge and light in a sustainable and healthy way.

Team Dunamis (Obasogie Okpamen, Obasogie Osasumwen, Anastacia Amadi, Uwague Aizeyosabo and Omolehin Emmanuel), based in Nigeria

Team Dunamis is a group of five graduates of Engineering and Business Management from Landmark University and Rivers State University in Nigeria. They are passionate about creating energy solutions, human-centered products and systems geared towards transforming their continent for the better. They aim to be a beacon for hope in their communities.

Rewind

Designed to evoke memories, Rewind uses a motion-tracking tool that guides seniors with dementia in re-enacting familiar gestures. These actions are then reflected as audio-visual feedback on a paired device that triggers recollection.

Poh Yun Ru, based in Singapore

Poh Yun Ru is a socially engaged product designer who seeks to create a positive impact on society by improving the lives of others. Living in a culturally rich and diverse society, she sees design as a methodology to develop intuitive and inclusive solutions for people from all walks of life.

Sound Eclipse

Installed in front of half-open windows, the microphone on the back of Sound Eclipse captures noise, while speakers emit sound waves of identical amplitude to the original noise but of inverted phase. These waves combine and cancel each other out.

Kristil & Shamina (Kristina Loginova and Shamil Sahabiev) based in Russia

Shamil Sahabiev is an industrial designer who has also worked as a concept artist, contributing his designs to multiple video game titles, including games for VR. Kristina Loginova, as a product manager, has helped to turn many creative ideas into profitable businesses. Together they are now focused on industrial design with the goal of creating things that benefit society and bring the future closer.

Tacomotive

The texture of the paper, especially its roughness and softness, changes subtly with pattern cutting. Using this phenomenon, I designed an analog driving game to enjoy tactile exploration, inspired by the concept of co-creating communication in the education of children with visual and aural challenges.

Kou Mikuni, based in Japan

Kou Mikuni graduated the Department of Integrated Science (natural science) at the University of Tokyo, and is currently a doctoral student studying design at the School of Engineering (mechanical engineering) of the same university.

ABOUT LEXUS DESIGN AWARD

Launched in 2013, the Lexus Design Award is an international competition for up-and-coming creators from around the world. The Award seeks to contribute to society by supporting designers and creators whose work shows potential to shape a better future. Six finalists gain a rare opportunity to prototype their designs under the mentorship of leading designers. The Lexus Design Award provides global media exposure to drive professional career advancement.

A unique airline lounge concept, centred on guests experiencing comfort, technology and design with a blend of ‘Belgitude’ and Japanese hospitality, THE LOFT has won this prized accolade each year since it first opened in 2018. Following the pandemic, it reopened in June of this year after an eight-month closure. Guests are welcomed with the highest health safety standards including discreet COVID signage and bespoke touches like a personal welcome and seating process, traditional warm Japanese ‘Oshibori’ towels and digital newspapers. In catering the buffet concept was adjusted to reduce infection risks and while waiting for the passionate Neuhaus maître chocolatier to return, Neuhaus chocolate has continued to be offered to all lounge guests.

Wencke Lemmes-Pireaux, Head of Customer Experience, Product & Marketing: “ It is remarkable how our welcoming staff succeeds in providing our guests with a relaxing experience in the LOFT and this under challenging circumstances. Together with our partners who are driven by the highest quality, we made it our mission to make our guests feel well taken care of every day. The fact that, next to travel and tourism professionals, these same customers have chosen for the third consecutive time for the LOFT by Brussels Airlines and Lexus as “Europe’s Leading Airport Lounge 2021” is the greatest reward we could get. I wish to thank the team as well as all involved partners for their commitment to excellence and for always putting hospitality, and herewith our customers, first.”

Pascal Ruch, TME Vice President Lexus Europe, said: “Winning this award for the third time running with THE LOFT rounds off an amazing year for Lexus, with highlights like the all-new NX 450h Plug-in Hybrid and NX 350h Self-Charging Hybrid. Above all it reflects our world-class Japanese ‘Omotenashi’ service ethos where we anticipate customer needs, offering them safety and peace-of-mind during the pandemic.”

THE LOFT at Brussels Airport draws on award-winning INTERSECT BY LEXUS brand spaces in Tokyo, Dubai and in New York’s fashionable Meatpacking District. This new airline lounge concept for international travellers was inspired by Lexus luxury, design and the traditional Japanese ‘Omotenashi’ hospitality. It marks a further expansion of Lexus beyond the premium automotive world as a global luxury lifestyle brand.

Covering an area of more than 2,000 m², THE LOFT offers seating for up to 500 guests. It is divided into areas with distinctive ambiences and features, including a central bar, seating zones and a break-out space that is ideal for those who need to work while on the move.

In line with the brand proposition to ‘Feel More’, lounge guests are provided with a wealth of facilities to make their visit feel relaxing and enjoyable, together with opportunities to immerse themselves in the world of Lexus. They are invited to feel more luxurious with a masterclass hosted by a Neuhaus maître chocolatier; feel more relaxed in SPA Grohe shower suites’, nap rooms with starlit ceilings and LS Shiatsu-effect massage chairs; feel more inspired by award winning arts and design elements by Lexus, including a Lexus Boardroom with its Mark Levison^® audio system; and feel more entertained at regular events ranging from wine tasting to music recitals.

THE LOFT is once again fully operational, with Lexus Brand Ambassadors providing a Omotenashi welcome to guests each day from 05.00am till 09.00pm.

More information on THE LOFT by Brussels Airlines and Lexus can be found at : THE LOFT By Lexus | Lexus Europe

ABOUT THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Celebrating its 28th anniversary in 2021, its programme is the most prestigious and comprehensive in the industry. Each year the World Travel Award travels the globe with its Grand Tour – a series of regional gala ceremonies, culminating in a Grand Fina.

World Travel Awards gala ceremonies are regarded as milestone events in the travel calendar, attended by the industry's key decision-makers, figureheads and media. Despite the ongoing global challenges, the appetite for travel has reached new and unprecedented levels. Evidence is reflected in the World Travel Awards annual voting figures. In 2019, we reported a record 1,945,965 votes cast, a 17% increase on the previous record. In 2020, a record 2,033,494 votes were cast.

The Lexus Design Award is an international design competition launched in 2013 to nurture and support the next generation of creators. Now in its 10th year, the Lexus Design Award continues to evolve as a platform for design innovation that leads to a better tomorrow.

Entrants will need to demonstrate how their creative ideas express three key principles of the Lexus brand: Anticipate, Innovate, and Captivate.

Their design should anticipate global challenges facing future society and imagine engaging and innovative ways to contribute to a sustainable future, while seamlessly enhancing the happiness of all. Lexus is looking for captivating designs that intersect with thoughtful solutions, designs that can truly make a brighter future for people and societies in diverse circumstances.

An elite judging committee will review the entries from around the globe, choosing six finalists to be announced in early 2022. These finalists will have the opportunity to enter in dialogue with four of the world’s foremost creators, who will provide them a priceless, once-in-a-lifetime learning and mentoring experience. Personal guidance from these mentors of varied backgrounds and specializations will help the finalists to build prototypes that bring out the potential of their ideas.

The finalists’ prototype development will be funded by Lexus with a budget of up to JPY 3 million (about EUR 23,000) per finalist. In the spring of 2022, the six finalists will present their final proposals to the judges, who will then select one Grand Prix winner.

Lexus will announce the names of the Lexus Design Award 2022 judging committee members and mentors in the fall of this year.

Official Hashtag: #lexusdesignaward

Mentorship is a uniquely attractive core element of the Lexus Design Award. Six finalists are given the irreplaceable once-in-a-lifetime experience of being mentored directly by world class creators. Mentors provide diverse perspectives and help finalists refine their ideas through continued discussion. Nurtured by the synergy of the finalists' insatiable curiosity and the mentors' passion, each idea has evolved into an even more innovative proposal within the limited period of about three months.

Mentor Mariam Kamara said, “I'm impressed by the amount of work the finalists have been able to do in such a short time. They have really taken the advice and feedback we have given them in their stride and showed a lot of passion and dedication into pushing their ideas to be all that they can be. It is obvious they care about the effect and impact their works can have, and it definitely comes across. The deep level of compassion they all show is absolutely commendable. I'm really staggered by everything they've been able to achieve.”

The six finalists will present their final proposals to a jury of renowned design leaders: Paola Antonelli, Dong Gong, Greg Lynn and Simon Humphries. One Grand Prix winning design will be announced on April 27^th, marking the climax of this edition of the Lexus Design Award.

For more information, please visit LexusDesignAward.com

Official Hashtag: #LexusDesignAward

ABOUT LEXUS DESIGN AWARD

Launched in 2013, the Lexus Design Award is an international competition for up-and-coming creators from around the world. The Award seeks to contribute to society by supporting designers and creators whose work shows potential to shape a better future. Six finalists gain a rare opportunity to prototype their designs under the mentorship of leading designers. The Lexus Design Award provides global media exposure to drive professional career advancement.

The Netherlands consumer association – the Consumentenbond – has named Lexus the country’s most reliable car brand after the manufacturer took the number one ranking in its 2020 survey.

Lexus achieved an average score of 8.8 in the 2020 study into the reliability of cars up to 10 years old. The results were based on the responses of more than 8,000 owners of vehicles from 27 different brands to questions about any defects they had experienced and how serious the incident was.

Respondents had three options to choose from: the issue made the car undrivable; the car had to be taken to a garage promptly for a repair; or the repair could be postponed to a convenient date. The data revealed Lexus models to be the least likely to suffer a breakdown, with the CT model performing best of all in the range with a score of 9.4.

World-renowned reliability

Lexus’ leading position in the survey has been rewarded with the designation “Most Reliable Brand 2020,” valid for one year. The result is the latest in a series of reliability accolades that include being rated the most reliable brand by What Car? magazine in the UK, which singled out the RX and NX SUVs for particular praise. Earlier this year, the Lexus ES sedan achieved the highest score ever recorded in the reliability study conducted by the leading American agency J.D. Power.

Quality guaranteed

Lexus quality and reliability are genuinely guaranteed, with every new model covered by a five-year/200,000-kilometre² warranty as standard. Lexus’ first all-electric model the UX 300e, is available with a warranty for the battery pack for up to 15 years or 1 million kilometres¹.

Lasting value

Lexus is world-famous for the build quality and reliability of its vehicles, fundamental values that are supported by the highest levels of customer service. The Dutch consumer association’s survey shows how the trust the brand enjoys in the market is justified. Lexus drivers can expect many kilometres of safe, secure and carefree driving and also benefit from higher residual values for their car when the time comes to change to a new model.

The winning design “Open Source Communities” addresses challenges often found in developing countries by using smart open-source planning to design affordable communities with sustainable clean water resources. Accepting the award, John Brian Kamau said "It was a great honor for us as BellTower, to be one of the 6 finalists and then win the Grand Prix of Lexus Design Award 2020. Our journey began with many challenges. However, we persevered to showcase our ambitious concept. Our experience has taught us invaluable lifelong lessons. All our future designs will be aligned with the key principles we learned as part of the Lexus family."

Considering this year’s unique circumstances, Lexus innovated to create its first ever virtual jury as part of this process that supports and nurtures the next generation of creative talent. The Grand Prix winner was announced after each of the six international finalists presented to our panel of esteemed judges explaining how they would create a Better Tomorrow. The program’s four mentors, who supported and guided the finalists for six months, were also on hand for the grand finale of the Lexus Design Award 2020.

Announcing the panel's decision, program judge and Studio Gang Founding Principal Jeanne Gang said, "At different moments in time, design has celebrated bold aesthetics, extreme functionality, and even humor and wit. But today, with our world plagued by the enormous issues of climate change and social inequality, there is a design imperative for systemic design solutions. The Grand-Prix winner expands our definition of design to include systems of finance for community projects and engages the critical role clean drinking water plays in citizens’ ability to thrive. By addressing the way that the project will come into being and be sustained economically, the designers broaden our thinking about what design is and could be. While the project is an apparatus to collect and store rainwater for safe drinking, it is also a financial game plan for empowering a community.”

Lexus sincerely thanks the six finalists of the Lexus Design Award 2020 for their hard work and is grateful for the passion and commitment of our judges; Paola Antonelli, Jeanne Gang, John Maeda, and Simon Humphries; and mentors; Joe Doucet, Bethan Gray, Philippe Malouin, and Shohei Shigematsu.

The trophy presented to the winner was designed by Hideki Yoshimoto, a winner of the Lexus Design Award 2013 and now an established professional designer himself based in London. In Yoshimoto's words, "This trophy will be the face of the Award for years to come, so I tried to create a simple, dignified form, free of affectation, in a design where boldness and subtlety coexist. Artisans carve the trophy from smoke-seasoned wood and lacquer it in the Japanese tradition. Handcrafting each trophy imbues it with heart and soul to resonate with the winner's creative passion."

For more information, please visit LexusDesignAward.com

Lexus Design Award 2021 is open for entries until October 11. Please note the details at our website, below.

https://discoverlexus.com/highlights/entries-open-for-lexus-design-award-2021

Official Hashtag: #LexusDesignAward

ABOUT LEXUS DESIGN AWARD

First launched in 2013, the Lexus Design Award is an international design competition that targets up-and-coming creators from around the world. The award seeks to foster the growth of ideas that contribute to society by supporting designers and creators whose works can help to shape a better future. It provides a unique opportunity for each finalist to work with a globally recognized designer as a mentor to create prototypes of their designs, and then exhibit them at one of the design calendar's most important events.

The consumer champion’s detailed study produced its findings from the real-world experiences and opinions of more than 47,000 UK motorists, covering almost 59,000 individual vehicles. Lexus secured its leading status with a fault-free report for the CT 200h hatchback and a near-perfect performance from the NX mid-size SUV. The results covered vehicles from new to three years old and three to eight years old.

The glowing report from Which? states: “Got the money for a Lexus? Do it. You might just forget what a mechanic’s waiting room looks like.”

A key factor in Lexus’s impressive performance is its self-charging hybrid technology. Which? highlights the proven durability and mechanical simplicity of the electrified system in making Lexus cars more resilient to faults. Lexus introduced hybrid to the UK premium market in 2005, since when it has constantly improved its performance and efficiency and extended it across its entire model range; today hybrids account for 99.8 per cent of its UK new car sales.

Ewan Shepherd, Director of Lexus in the UK said: “The results of the thorough research carried out by Which? are a further validation of the lasting quality and craftmanship engineered into every Lexus model. Making cars that people can rely on, year after year, is fundamental to our business and goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to always providing the highest standards of customer service.”

More information about the Lexus CT can be found here: https://www.lexus.eu/car-models/ct/

More information about the Lexus NX can be found here: https://www.lexus.eu/car-models/nx/

With more than 1.3 million members and supporters, Which? (https://www.which.co.uk/) is the largest independent consumer body in the UK.

Once again it dominated the results in the satisfaction survey, which canvassed the opinions and experiences of thousands of UK owners of cars bought in the past year. En route to being ranked top among the 30 eligible brands, it won the categories for engine and gearbox, exterior and reliability and build quality. That success was backed up by being second-placed for safety and interior, and third for ride and handling.

Individual Lexus models also performed strongly, with the RX taking the award for best non-plug-in hybrid and rated third best car overall; the IS retaining its best compact executive title; and the CT topping the rankings as best premium compact family car.

Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief, said: “Other companies may be envious of Lexus’s achievement, but the truth is there’s no secret to its repeated victories. Lexus builds reliable cars to a high standard, and owners love its designs, interiors and the way their cars drive. Lexus proves once again that it knows precisely what its customers want, and consistently delivers.”

Ewan Shepherd, Director of Lexus in the UK, commented: “Everyone at Lexus is hugely proud of how consistently well our brand does in the Driver Power survey. The most important judges of our cars are the people who own them, and for them to provide such positive feedback is both brilliant and humbling.

“Delivering amazing experiences is the ethos that runs through everything we do at Lexus, from the quality and feel of our cars to our customer service. Our network of retailers plays a huge part in our success and they also deserve great credit for making this award possible.”

The honour follows on from Lexus’s exceptional performance in the 2019 What Car? Reliability Survey, in which the brand was the highest-ranked manufacturer for the third year running and its CT 200h hybrid luxury hatchback recorded a 100 per cent fault-free performance across the previous 12 months.

What Car? Editor Steve Huntingford acclaimed Lexus’s track record, saying: “Lexus managed a clean sweep of wins the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, claiming the top spot for cars aged up to five years old, with an almost perfect 99 per cent, and for those aged six to 15 years old. A score of 93.3 per cent in the latter category demonstrates just how well the Japanese luxury brand builds its cars and why it’s such a worthy winner of our 2020 Reliability Award.”

Ewan Shepherd, Director of Lexus in the UK, said: “We’re delighted to receive this award in recognition of the quality that’s built into every car we make. With record sales in Europe and the UK in 2019 and a strong ongoing order bank, we can see that that more and more people are choosing Lexus self-charging hybrids. Their experience is enriched by the level of customer service delivered by our network, which has no equal in the industry.”

The Great Test of Car Dealers is an annual survey carried out by Auto Świat, the Polish edition of Auto Bild, in cooperation with the research company Kantar. Held in 2019 for the 16^th time, the survey included inspection of 359 authorized retailers belonging to 22 automotive brands. The Great Test of Car Dealers is the largest test of this type on the Polish market.

The inspections involved visits of every retailer by mystery shoppers who carried out a comprehensive analysis on how the customers who are planning to buy a new car are served, resulting in an extensive, 5-page visit report containing over 70 detailed questions. As a result, an objective assessment is carried out within three categories: "Showroom organization", "Customer service" and "Test drive".

This year, among the total of 22 inspected brands, 5 belonged to the premium segment: Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes and Volvo – representing a total of 54 retailers.

Lexus was included in this survey for the first time, and was evaluated as providing the best service in the premium segment with a total score of 94.9%, significantly ahead of the second-best brand which achieved 85.6%.

For more details, please visit the following page (in Polish language):https://www.auto-swiat.pl/wiadomosci/wielki-test-salonow-2019-auto-swiata/6mpzzs9

ABOUT LEXUS’ CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

The high quality of service and special approach to the customer have distinguished Lexus since its inception in 1989. Lexus founders understood very well that building image is not only about selling cars but also about all the experiences that accompany it before and after the sale.

This unique approach comes from Japan, the brand’s country of origin, where this way of treating customers is deeply rooted in culture and used on a daily basis in every business area. Just like in the Land of Cherry Blossoms, Omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) applies to Lexus showrooms.

According to this philosophy, employees should treat every customer in the Lexus showroom like a guest in their own home, trying to predict and meet their needs before they arise, and taking care of every detail. Each visit to the luxury Japanese brand showroom should be a unique experience and the first step to the spectacular world of Lexus. It is also important to express gratitude to the customer for the trust placed in the Lexus brand by choosing it from many other market options.

This means that in a Lexus showroom, customers can not only buy a car but above all enter a completely different world based on a relationship full of respect and warmth, where they are awaited by coffee, snacks and the staff’s attention. The goal of Lexus is to make every customer leave the showroom happy regardless of whether they bought a car or not.

Every showroom has a designated Omotenashi Manager. Their role as a host is to make sure that every customer is noticed, warmly welcomed and supported at all times. Lexus offers VIP Program to meet the needs of those who value their time the most. The customer does not have to go to the showroom, since the presentation of a new car or vehicle check-up can take place at a time and location convenient for the customer.

Handing over a new vehicle to a customer is a carefully prepared ceremony. Lexus ensures that it is unique and memorable for every customer, just like other major events in their life.

The Which? report, based on its own extensive tests and consumer feedback on reliability from more than 40,000 car owners, names the UK’s best and worst car buys. Which? is a brand name used by the Consumers' Association, the largest consumer organisation in the UK.

Faring particularly well in the diverse and fiercely competitive larger SUV segment, the Lexus RX took the prized Which? ‘Our Pick’ spot. As well as being noted for ticking all of the boxes as a luxury SUV, Which? customer survey results position the range-topping Lexus hybrid SUV as “one of the most reliable new cars you can buy”.

Another class leader, the Lexus CT 200h takes top spot as the Which? ‘Our Pick’ medium car. Survey results show that 94 per cent of CT 200h remain trouble-free in the first three years of ownership, proving it to be the most reliable medium car you can buy new today.

Alongside the recognition for individual vehicles, the Which? Car Guide places Lexus as its carmaker of the year in its brand reliability table, with 64 per cent of Lexus models on sale receiving ‘Best Buy’ status.

Full list of Lexus accolades:

Category Model Status

Medium cars Lexus CT 200h (2011-) Our Pick and Best Buy

Used large cars Lexus IS (2005-2012) Best Buy

Used large cars Lexus LS (2007-2012) Best Buy

Larger SUVs Lexus RX Hybrid (2015-) Our Pick and Best Buy

Autoindex is Scandinavia’s largest car survey among private car owners. It looks at the entire customer experience that car buyers have with their vehicle and its brand’ sales and after-sales support. This year, more than 11,000 Norwegian car owners have contributed to the survey.

“This has become an annual party day for us!”, commented Knut-Erik Jahnsen, head of Lexus in Norway. “We want to give a unique experience to our customers, from their first visit to a dealer until they drive their new car and when they need service or follow-up. We work hard during the whole year, even sending our employees to elite courses in Europe and Japan to keep improving our service. It is wonderful that customers reward us year after year with this ‘best in the industry’ accolade.”

Autoindex is performed annually by Loyalty Group International and looks at several factors: the car and the driving experience (40% of the score), the dealer and the purchase experience (20%), service at the workshop (20%) and loyalty to the brand (20%). This year again, Lexus won in all 4 categories.

Lexus is known for being a dedicated engineer company, delivering unique solutions and high quality products. But the secret ingredient behind the dominance in Autoindex is, according to Jahnsen, to be summarized in one word: Omotenashi, the Japanese sense of hospitality.

“Omotenashi is a core value in Japanese culture. And thus also for Lexus. It's with us all the time. It's about our dedication to the customer and the product, and how, for example, thousands of hours are spent perfecting details such as colour choices and the sound of the car door when closing. Omotenashi is for us a constant reminder to anticipate our customers' needs and always deliver something more than what is expected. Simply showing an unconditional respect and care for the customer.”

The organizers of the annual “Car of the Year in Russia” officially announced the winners of the 2019 competition. The award ceremony was held on May 16, 2019 in the Izvestia Hall.

According to the results of the all-Russian voting, more than one million Russian car enthusiasts chose the Lexus RC as Coupe of the Year.

Tested extensively on the famous Nürburgring, this four-seater sports coupe delivers exhilarating performance with bold, head-turning design. Behind its muscular and aggressive stance, the RC's rigid chassis offers exceptional handling and agility. Delivering power of 245 hp, with high precision and economy through a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine with 8-speed Sport Direct Shift transmission, the RC reflects Lexus’s passion for engaging driving.

The model was named the best according to the online survey, which was conducted from January 1 to April 14, 2019. The voting data was processed and analysed by an independent research company Ipsos Comcon.

En route to the top spot, Lexus achieved the highest rankings for the interior and comfort, exterior and reliability categories. Significantly, the results are based on the opinions and experiences of car owners rather than experts and commentators, and Britain’s motorists once again responded in their thousands to the survey.

Lexus models also dominated the Driver Power model categories, with the RX taking the award for Best Premium Large SUV and rated best for interior and comfort; the RC coupe emerging as Best Sports Car and best for reliability and build quality; the IS saloon Best Compact Executive Car and runner-up to the Best New Car of the Year; and the GS saloon named Best Executive Car.

Driver Power is the UK’s largest, most comprehensive car satisfaction poll. Success in the survey is based on the first-hand experience of thousands of UK car owners who responded to Driver Power survey questions about the quality, reliability and performance of their vehicle (up to two years old) and the service they receive from retailers and repair shops.

Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief, said: “It’s fantastic to see Lexus top the Driver Power brand ranking for the third year in a row. The company has a proven track record of building luxurious, desirable and comfortable cars, and the stellar reliability rankings Lexus continually generates will be the envy of many carmakers, too.”

Ewan Shepherd, Director of Lexus in the UK, commented: “It’s 30 years since the Lexus brand was born and it’s always been our aim not just to deliver the best customer service, but also to redefine what great service means to today’s customers. It’s this core commitment to excellence, a line-up of great new products and the hard work and dedication of everyone who works for Lexus – especially our retail partners – that has helped us once again claim top place in the Driver Power manufacturer rankings.”

For more information please visit: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/driver-power

The 2018 survey separated cars into two age brackets, with those aged one to four years old in one bracket, while those four years and over were in another. But all were subjected to the critical gaze of more than 18,000 UK motorists, who were quizzed about their personal ownership experiences over the last 12 months.

The What Car? survey covered reliability performance in a variety of areas, including mechanical components, bodywork and trims. Participants were also asked to indicate how long their car was out of action before a satisfactory repair could be carried out, and the cost of such work. Findings were weighted to take into account the severity and impact of any faults.

Taking both category results into account, the What Car? team confirmed that “the most dependable brand for long-term ownership is Lexus, whose efforts are led by the CT hybrid hatchback.”

Ewan Shepherd, Director of Lexus in the UK, said: “We are very proud of the meticulous development and world-class production standards in each of our vehicles. Quality and customer satisfaction are at the heart of the Lexus offer, and it’s great to hear our customers are really feeling the benefit of that.”

The full What Car? Reliability Survey can be read here: www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-2018/

On each of the two criteria, quality and reliability, the Lexus brand gets first place. In terms of quality, the percentage of satisfaction reaches 93.7%, compared to an overall average of 81.4%. The percentage of satisfaction in terms of reliability is 96.2%, while the average of all brands is 85.4%.

Lexus consistently leads customer satisfaction surveys around the world, especially JD Power US surveys (first place in 2018 for the seventh year in a row), but also in Europe with the Auto Express Driver Power survey in the United Kingdom, AutoIndex in Norway (first brand in 2018 for the seventh year in a row),

The annual Driver Power survey is based on the opinions of more than 80,000 UK motorists, offering criticism – or praise – in nine categories and 31 different areas.

“Our Driver Power satisfaction survey allows owners to leave no stone unturned when giving feedback on their cars,” revealed automotive managing editor Stuart Milne. He added: “To be crowned the best, a manufacturer can have no slip-ups, and this year the competition was extremely tough.”

Lexus owners have already rated the brand strongly across the board, topping the rankings for interior quality, comfort and build quality. But for this award it was the more emotional element of our sleek, concept-like LC that drew particular praise.

Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler went on to explain: “When Lexus revealed the LF-LC concept at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, few people thought the car would make it to the showroom looking that good – including us. Surely Lexus wouldn’t be brave enough to bring out a production car that bold.

“Rarely are we so happy to be that wrong. The Lexus LC is every bit as special to look at as its concept, and to drive one is just the same.”

In collecting the award, Lexus UK director Ewan Shepherd said: “The LC has driven home the message that our brand is one of the most visionary, original and exciting out there. With LC we have shown these are not just words but that our bold vision for the future of Lexus goes beyond concepts and in to showrooms.

Lexus Short Films aims to engage with film enthusiasts and audiences to develop and nurture a new generation of emerging filmmakers. Now in its 4^th season, the series continues to exemplify Lexus' commitment to arts and innovation by recognizing and supporting up and coming talent. Submissions are now open for Season 4 until August 24^th at www.withoutabox.com/LSF.

“Being recognized with a Cannes Lion in addition to the other Film Festival awards is an amazing achievement", said Spiros Fotinos, Global Head of Brand Management and Marketing at Lexus. “It reflects the spirit of our Lexus Short Films program which is to support emerging filmmakers by giving them opportunities to make their career leap forward. We are thrilled to see such fantastic results."

Game has already won several prestigious film festival awards, such as Best Short at The Julien Dubuque, the Audience Choice Award at the Los Angeles Indie Film Festival, Best Live Action Narrative at Tokyo Lift-Off, the Audience Award at the Napa Valley Film Festival and the Special Jury Award: Narrative Short at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival.

All the films from the Lexus Short Films series are available at www.LexusShortFilms.com and on Amazon to Watch with Prime Video.

ABOUT LEXUS SHORT FILMS

In 2013, Lexus Short Films was launched with the goal of supporting and nurturing a new generation of emerging filmmakers. These aspiring directors and writers have received a unique opportunity supported by Lexus to collaborate with acclaimed film studio The Weinstein Company to produce and showcase their work on an international stage. For more information, visit www.lexusshortfilms.com and follow #LexusShortFilms

ABOUT LEXUS

Since its U.S. market debut in 1989, Lexus has earned a worldwide reputation for high-quality products and exemplary customer service. Renowned for the superior reliability of its vehicles, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader, offering hybrids that combine innovative technology and premier luxury. To date, Lexus has grown into 90+ markets worldwide. The evolution of Lexus is not only reflected in the progressive designs of its latest vehicles, but also in the brand’s mission to captivate the next generation of luxury consumers with consciousness, products, and services that are visionary, original and exciting. http://www.lexus-int.com

ABOUT WITHOUTABOX

Withoutabox (https://www.withoutabox.com) is the premier submission service for film festivals and filmmakers. Since 2001, Withoutabox has enabled nearly 3 million festival submissions to the leading film festivals in the world, and more than 150 of these titles wenton to receive an Academy Award® nomination with dozens eventually winning an Oscar®. To learn more about Withoutabox or to sign up, visit https://www.withoutabox.com. Withoutabox is owned and operated by IMDb, the #1 movie website in the world.

“Receiving this award for the sixth time is nothing short of incredible. It is a testimony, not just to the quality of our cars, but to the effort and pride our dealerships put into their work. We feel humble and grateful towards our customers, who show us great trust and rank us so highly year after year. It is a strong motivation, and we will not be resting on our laurels. Continuous improvement is a fundamental ingredient of the Lexus philosophy”, says Tone Thunes, Marketing & Customer Care Manager at Lexus Norway.

Lexus also holds the top spot in Sweden for the sixth consecutive year, with the score of 892 points – a clear lead over all other brands.

"For us, the result is an important confirmation that we are doing the right thing but we are humble for the challenge of continually developing our customer care to continue to have the most satisfied owners" said Dick Zachrisson, Head of Lexus in Sweden.

AutoIndex is carried out on an annual basis by Loyalty Group International. This year, it is based on 15,934 unique responses from randomly selected car customers in Norway and more than 15,000 in Sweden. The survey covers 23 car manufacturers. The vehicles must be initially registered between 2010 and 2016.

Brussels, Belgium - Lexus International today announced the 12 finalists for the Lexus Design Award2016. First launched in 2013 to foster the growth of ideas that can contribute to society, this international design competition aims to support young up-and-coming creators from around the world.

The fourth annual staging of the Lexus Design Award drew 1,232 entries from 73 countries under the theme “Anticipation”.

A panel of world-renowned designers and creators gathered in November to judge the entries. This year, entrants impressed the judges by creating designs as yet unseen or undefined but likely to be realized in the near future. After extensive discussion and after noting the participants’ passion and willingness to explore the unpredictable, 12 finalist entries were selected for their potential contribution to design innovation.

The following four finalists will produce prototypes of their designs under the mentorship of globally recognized creators:

• AGAR PLASTICITY, by AMAM (Japan), is a project exploring how agar, a gelatinous material obtained from the marine algae, can be used as an environmentally friendly packaging materials alternative to plastic.
• DADA, by Myungsik Jang (Korea), is a block toy which can be freely combined using bands, holes, and pegs to create and realize each child’s imagination.
• Shape Shifters, by Angelena Laura Fenuta (Canada-based Italian designer), is a special cut of garment, applying modular principles to textiles, which allows creating different fashions outfits.

Trace, by STUDIO AYASKAN (UK-based Turkish designers), is a clock that uses a liquid with UV rays and discoloration properties allowing us to visualize the passing time.

Architects and interdisciplinary designers Neri & Hu, along with designer Max Lamb will return as mentors, while designer/architect Elena Manferdini and artist/architect Snarkitecture join as the mentors for the first time.

The four completed prototypes will be featured as part of the Lexus exhibition at this year's Milan Design Week, along with panel presentations of the other eight finalists’ designs. The event will run from April 11th through April 17th at T32 Torneria/Carrozzeria, Via Tortona 32, 20144 (Zona Tortona).

The Grand Prix winner of the Lexus Design Award 2016, selected from the four prototype finalists, is going to be announced on April 11th at the award ceremony.

Further details on the Lexus space at the 2016 Milan Design Week will be announced in mid-February.

More information and pictures can be found on:

Lexus Europe newsroom: http://newsroom.lexus.eu

Lexus Design Award website: www.lexusdesignaward.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexusdesignaward/

@lexusdesignaward

Official hashtags:#LexusDesignAward; #MilanDesignWeek, LDAnticipate

LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016 ENTRIES SELECTED FOR PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT:

Title

AGAR PLASTICITY – A POTENTIAL USEFULNESS OF AGAR FOR PACKAGING AND MORE

Designer

(Nationality)

AMAM

- Kosuke Araki (Japanese)

- Noriaki Maetani (Japanese)

- Akira Muraoka (Japanese)

Resident

Japan

Description

AGAR PLASTICITY is a project exploring how agar, a gelatinous material obtained from the marine algae, can be used as an environmentally friendly packaging materials alternative to plastic.

Mentors

Max Lamb

Title

DADA

Designer

(Nationality)

Myungsik Jang (Korean)

Resident

South Korea

Description

DADA is a block toy which can be freely combined using bands, holes, and pegs to create and realize each child’s imagination.

Mentor

Neri and Hu

Title

Shape Shifters

Designer

(Nationality)

Angelena Laura Fenuta (Canadian/Italian)

Resident

Canada

Description

Shape Shifters is a special cut of garment, applying modular principles to textiles, which allows creating different outfits.

Mentor

Elena Manferdini

Title

TRACE

Designer

(Nationality)

STUDIO AYASKAN

- Begum Ayaskan (Turkish)

- Bike Ayaskan (Turkish)

Resident

United Kingdom

Description

Trace is a clock that uses a liquid with UV rays and discoloration properties allowing us to visualize the passing time.

Mentor

Snarkitecture

LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016 PANEL EXHIBITS:

Title

aniknown

Designer(Nationality)

Ayami Marugata (Japanese)

Resident

Japan

Description

aniknown is a creation of clothes for six types of animal, choosing the materials according to each one’s feature, behavior and habitat.

Title

Bio-Vide

Designer(Nationality)

Takuma Yamazaki (Japanese)

Resident

Japan

Description

Bio – Vide is a product, such as table and envelope, designed using fallen leaves. It is a visualization of the concept that all things return to earth.

Title

Drop Box

Designer(Nationality)

Ding Dong & Ma Jincai & Peter Luo & Huang Junxi

-Ding Dong(Chinese), Jincai Ma(Chinese),

-Junxi Huang(Chinese), Peter Luo (Chinese)

Resident

China

Description

Drop Box utilizes aerodynamics to allow critical supplies to be airdropped safely in disaster areas without requiring a parachute.

Title

Hexagon

Designer(Nationality)

Chulin Yang (Chinese)

Resident

Australia

Description

Hexagon is an umbrella using magnets which connects with each other to promote human interactions.

Title

PLANTS-SKIN

Designer(Nationality)

Hiroto Yoshizoe (Japanese)

Resident

Japan

Description

PLANTS-SKIN is a planter made of a colored mortar and special ink that visualizes the timing for watering plants.

Title

Project Play

Designer(Nationality)

Oliver Staiano (British)

Resident

United Kingdom

Description

Project Play is a first-of-its-kind lamp powered by wireless technology and realized through the creation of a magnetic rubber.

Title

RESOLUTION OF SOUND LOCATION

Designer(Nationality)

Owls

-Takato Sasaki(Japanese), Yuki Shinohara (Japanese)

Resident

Japan

Description

RESOLUTION OF SOUND LOCATION is a headphone device composed of super directive microphones and speakers that can determine the sound source and adjust volume.

Title

Slow Door

Designer(Nationality)

Deepak Jawahar & Irina Bogdan

-Deepak Jawahar (Indian), Irina Michaela Bogdan (Romanian)

Resident

China

Description

Slow Door is conceived as an assembly of cubic components forming a spatial mechanism that delays the transition through a doorway. It allows us to appreciate the time and space created by the experience.

MENTOR PROFILES:

Neri &Hu / Architects and Interdisciplinary Designers

Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, cofounders of Neri & Hu Design and Research based in Shanghai, have been working on projects around the world which incorporate overlapping design disciplines to create a new paradigm in architecture. In 2014, Wallpaper* announced Neri & Hu as 2014 Designer of The Year. In 2013, they were inducted into the U.S. Interior Design Hall of Fame. Neri & Hu believes strongly that research is a key design tool as each project brings its own unique set of contextual issues. Providing architecture, interior, master planning, graphic and product design services, Neri & Hu recognizes that contemporary problems relating to buildings extend beyond the boundaries of traditional architecture. Rather than starting from a formulaic design, Neri & Hu’s work is anchored in the dynamic interaction of experience, detail, material, form and light.

Max Lamb / Designer

A modern day artificer, Max Lamb is a product and furniture designer whose design sensibility is informed by his extensive knowledge of manufacturing techniques, respect for materials, and skill as a maker. A native of Cornwall, Max has been tinkering with objects and engaging with the physical landscape since he was a small boy; a curiosity that led to an MA in Design Products at the Royal College of Art and subsequently the foundation of his workshop-based design practice. Max explores both traditional and unconventional materials and processes, blending experimentation and rationale to create furniture and products that are both honest and intelligible. Max teaches Design Products at the Royal College of Art and runs regular design workshops for companies and institutions around the world.

Elena Manferdini / Designer , Architect

Elena Manferdini, founder and owner of Atelier Manferdini, with offices in Italy and California, has completed design, art and architectural projects in the United States, Europe and Asia including the Pavilion of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. Her firm has collaborated with such internationally renowned companies as Saworski, Sephora, and BMW and her work has been featured in journals and publications including Elle, Vogue and the New York Times. Currently Graduate Chair at the Southern California Institute of Architecture she exhibits internationally and lectures widely having spoken at MIT, Princeton, Tsinghua University and Bauhaus. She was recently awarded the 2013 COLA Fellowship to support the production of original artwork. In 2011 she received a prestigious annual grant from United States Artists (USA) and her Blossom design for Alessi received the Good Design Award.

Snarkitecture / Artists and Architects

In 2008 Daniel Arsham and Alex Mustonen founded Snarkitecture, a collaborative and experimental practice operating in territories between art and architecture. Sharing a mutual interest in the intersection of art and architecture since their student days together at Cooper Union in New York, their first commission was for Dior Homme. Deriving its name from Lewis Carroll's fanciful poem "The Hunting of the Snark", Snarkitecture designs permanent, architectural scale projects and functional objects with new and imaginative purposes, creating moments of wonder and interaction that allow people to engage directly with the surrounding environment. Transforming the familiar into the extraordinary, Snarkitecture makes architecture perform the unexpected.