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 LOFT at Brussels Airport has been named “Europe’s Leading Airline Lounge 2024” at the prestigious World Travel Awards™ (WTA). This is the sixth, consecutive, year that the LOFT has won the award. It has done so each year since Lexus and Brussels Airlines began collaboration in 2018.

Created and managed by Brussels Airlines and Lexus, THE LOFT brings Lexus luxury, Takumi craftsmanship, and Omotenashi - a Japanese concept of hospitality which aims to anticipate a guest’s needs - to business travellers.

Extending to over 2,000 m2, THE LOFT has distinct zones. These include a central bar; comfortable seating for relaxing; and a space for undisturbed working. Guests are presented with a warm Oshibori towel upon entering. Shiatsu massage chairs, extra-sensory Grohe showers and nap rooms with starlight ceilings are available. Dining options include hot and cold dishes while a Neuhaus Maîtres Chocolatier is on hand to create sweet memories.

Lexus Brand Ambassadors provide a personal welcome to guests at THE LOFT 7 days a week from 05:00 until 21:00. Their unique understanding of Lexus, and the hospitality requirements of air passengers, impressed voters and secured the award.

Accepting the award at the WTA Europe Gala Ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, Olivier Brynaert, Head of Customer Experience, Brussels Airlines said:

“Based on the feedback of our guests, we keep on smartly investing in our lounge to remain at the top. We recently renovated the shower suites, improved the set-up of the buffet, and introduced an ‘a la carte’ menu in the HON area, just to name a few examples. I am so humbled and honoured that we are granted this award for the sixth time in a row.  I warmly thank the entire lounge team as well as partners and suppliers for their efforts every single day to make this lounge as great as it is.”

Filip Belmans Head of Communications & Customer Experience at Lexus Europe added:

“This award recognises the winning formula of superb customer experience and inspiring design at THE LOFT. At Lexus, we aim to help customers ‘experience amazing’. We do this by applying Omotenashi to every aspect of their journey. This is as true of THE LOFT as it is for our cars – from the flagship Lexus LM to the compact Lexus LBX – recently voted What Car? ‘Car of the Year 2024’.”

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. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

ABOUT LEXUS

Lexus is a global luxury lifestyle brand with an unwavering commitment to exceptional customer experience, innovative technology, and exceptional craftsmanship. A leader in luxury car electrification for 20 years, over 2.5 million Lexus Self-Charging Hybrids are currently on the road across the globe.

• Lexus’ all-new breakthrough compact crossover receives its first major European awards, winning What Car? overall Car of the Year and Small SUV of the Year titles
• Lexus retains the What Car? Reliability Award for an unmatched seventh consecutive year

The Lexus LBX has received its first major European honours, being named the Car of the Year and Small SUV of the Year 2024 by the leading automotive magazine What Car?

Announced at a presentation ceremony in London on January 18th, the prestigious awards herald the arrival of a model that is expected to be a game-changer for Lexus, taking it into new market territory in Europe with the potential to accelerate sales and attract many customers new to the brand.

Lexus also maintained its complete dominance in the Reliability Award, collecting the honour for an unmatched seventh consecutive year.

Steve Huntingford, editor of the UK-based What Car?, said: “The What Car? Car of the Year title is reserved for the model which has moved things on farthest in the past 12 months, and this year that is the Lexus LBX. Despite competing in the hugely competitive small SUV market, it’s a better all-rounder than every rival, not least because it is the first car in the class to combine hybrid efficiency with big-car luxury. And at a time when prices seem to be going through the roof, it offers these strengths for an amazingly tempting price.”

Turning to the Reliability Award, he continued: “Unlike other What Car? award categories, this one required no debate because in our latest Reliability Survey, Lexus finished top for the seventh consecutive year. Not only are its cars among the most dependable you can buy, dealers dealt with the few faults that did crop up swiftly, efficiently and without charging any of the Lexus owners who told us about their cars. With sister brand Toyota finishing second in the survey, it’s clear these standards are company-wide.”

Accepting the Car of the Year Award, Chris Hayes, Director of Lexus in the UK, said: “This honour will be a source of great pride and excitement for everyone who was involved in making the LBX, from the Chief Engineer to the teams working on the production line. It rewards the huge efforts that have been invested in making a small car that is truly premium in every respect, and authentically a Lexus product.

“There has been no compromise. The LBX has all the craftsmanship luxury, high quality and signature driving experience you will find in any car that wears our badge.”

• 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.

• Lexus named most reliable brand for a seventh time in the UK annual What Car? Survey
• Lexus scored 98.3% in the survey covering 32 brands and 178 models
• First generation NX achieved 99.8%, followed by the all-new NX with 99.4%, and the UX with 99.3%

Fashions come and fashions go, but with each year that passes Lexus reliability remains constant. The lasting quality of its vehicles has been validated yet again with the number one ranking in the annual What Car?  Reliability Survey for a seventh time.

Claire Evans, What Car? consumer editor and the person behind the survey, said the following: "If reliability is your priority, a Lexus model is the best choice. Not only do its models rarely go wrong, but when they do its dealerships resolve all issues swiftly and at no cost to owners. It is the brand that leads the field for dependability."

Almost 22,000 motorists took part in the leading consumer champion and car-buying platform in the UK 2023 study into the cars which perform best and worst when it comes to faults. The results, covering 32 brands and 178 different models up to five years old, showed Lexus achieving an unmatched score of 98.3 per cent, taking into account not just the number of problems experienced, but also how long they took to put right and the cost of repairs.

Lexus excelled in the survey’s categories, most notably in the family SUV class where the first generation NX came top with 99.8 per cent; the all-new, current NX second with 99.4 per cent; and UX third with 99.3 percent. The Lexus RX was placed second among large SUVs on 98.6 percent.  All of these are self-charging hybrid electric models – the powertrain technology the survey found to be the most reliable and simplest to repair when an issue does arise.

The Lexus IS saloon may no longer be on sale, but owners still appreciate its durability: it topped the executive car class with a 98 per cent score.

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)

• High safety scores in all categories for Lexus’ battery electric SUV 
• Lexus Safety System + detects risks and assists driver responses
• Robust construction and passive safety features ensure excellent impact protection

The all-new Lexus RZ has been awarded the 2023 five-star rating by Euro NCAP, the independent vehicle safety test organisation. Results released on September 6 show that Lexus’ battery electric SUV scores highly in all safety categories: 87% for adult occupant protection; 87% for child occupants; 84% for vulnerable road users; and 81% for the performance of its safety assist systems.

The organization highlights on its release that: “The Lexus RZ meets Euro NCAP’s expectations for all-around good crash protection for occupants representing a range of ages, heights, and sizes. The car is also equipped with the latest crash avoidance systems and comes with several new active safety innovations. The RZ is the first car that Euro NCAP rewards for Child Presence Detection technology under the latest 2023 rating regime (…) The child presence detection system, which warns when a child or infant may have been left in the car and is consequently potentially lifesaving in hot weather”.

The RZ has an inherently strong platform and body construction, with the battery unit integrated into the chassis, and takes care of passive safety with nine airbags as standard. Moreover, as all Lexus models, the RZ is equipped as standard with Lexus Safety System +, a comprehensive package of advanced safety and driver assistance systems.

In its latest, third generation, Lexus Safety System + benefits from upgrades and additions which increase the scope of risk detection. Key elements of the system include: 

A Pre-Collision System (PCS) with radar and camera, to detect oncoming vehicles including motorcycles. With third-generation Lexus Safety System +, PCS can now also detect cyclists during night time. And with the new Intersection Turn Assist feature, it can detect oncoming vehicles when turning, as well as pedestrians crossing the street.

Lane Departure Alert and Lane Tracing Assist both help keep the car correctly centred in its lane. In addition to reducing driving burden, this assists, when necessary, with steering operation. 

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control enables the driver to set the inter-vehicle distance and acceleration level. And with the new Curve Speed Reduction feature, the vehicle’s speed can now adjust automatically according to bend radius.

The Emergency Driving Stop System slows the vehicle to a stop within the lane if the driver becomes unable to operate the controls, for example because of sudden illness. While the system does this, it warns other road users by flashing the hazard lights.

To allow earlier activation of the Emergency Driving Stop System, Driver Monitor enables earlier detection of inappropriate driver states – such as distraction, poor posture, closed or unblinking eyes, or the movement of the driver’s head away from its usual position.

Proactive Driving Assist discreetly and gently assists the driver, most usually at lower speeds around town, through distance control between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle, and by providing steering and deceleration support in response to hazards such as pedestrians, cyclists, and parked vehicles.

Through such broad-ranging driver assistance technologies, Lexus strives to make vehicles such as the RZ among the safest on the road. For more information, please visit: Lexus RZ full press kit

·       The campaign marks the launch of the new compact crossover UX, one of Lexus’ best-selling models in Europe

·       Joy’s hit song “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” features as the soundtrack for the television commercial (TVC)

Today, Lexus reveals its campaign for the new UX, starring internationally acclaimed, BRIT-nominated and Mercury Prize-shortlisted Joy Crookes as its face and voice.

The collaboration marks a shift in the brand’s talent strategy to reach a younger, more diverse, and socially engaged audience. Crookes is the embodiment of the new Lexus consumer, an ambassador discerningly redefining modern luxury and style.

Coupled with her talent, Joy’s striking style is a curated fusion of cultures and eras, influenced by her upbringing in richly diverse South London. The result is an intentionally unique and powerful aesthetic that shines in every creative output she produces, ensuring she is always pushing visual boundaries while celebrating her heritage. Crookes also uses her platform to raise awareness of issues close to her heart, including sustainability, focusing on how future generations should have access to natural spaces, no matter where they come from. 

The new campaign celebrates the concept of “the energy that drives you on”, and sees Joy enjoying the UX as a space to facilitate her childhood dream of being a world-renowned musician. Acting as a vehicle for her creativity and fast-paced lifestyle, Joy harnesses her passion and energy, two characteristics that continually drive her on.

Content created with Joy falls under several creative pillars, with the underlying narrative that the UX is the facilitator of her metropolitan exploration. Four short films bring this concept to life: viewers are taken on this exciting journey with Joy, firstly with a trip to the beach. Other films follow Joy through a vibrant metropolis, whilst highlighting the UX’s state-of-the-art technology and amazing driving experience. In a vehicle developed with the idea of ‘Continuous Evolution’ in mind, Joy is seen enjoying a drive in her Lexus UX, exploring the city using the faster and more intuitive Lexus Premium Navigation multimedia with ‘Hey Lexus’ voice assistant and cloud updates, which she uses to play the soundtrack of the campaign, ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now’.

Improved smartphone integration in the UX means apps are displayed on the new extra-large 12.3” HD or 8” touchscreens, that are now positioned closer to the driver for easier interaction. Meanwhile, the new Lexus Link connected services app helps enhance the driving experience, with intelligent features such as remote air conditioning and remote lock/unlock. Capitalising on Joy’s diverse and far-reaching social following, the campaign also includes exciting content shot for Instagram and TikTok – another opportunity to target a new and more social-savvy audience.

Additional key features and upgrades in the Lexus UX include the introduction of the new F Sport Design grade with sporty exterior design features, as well as the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and front/rear performance rods which are standard features for the UX F SPORT. New exterior colour, bi-tone paintwork options and interior upholstery choices create a truly personalised experience for those seeking Lexus’ world-renowned Omotenashi philosophy.

Revisions to the UX’s Lexus Safety System+ bring improved performance in the Pre-Collision System, equipping the car with Intersection Turning Assist for safer left and right turns across traffic at intersections and Emergency Steering Assist, which helps the driver steer to avoid obstacles without departing from their traffic lane.

Joy Crookes: “Creativity in all forms gives me energy and inspiration. Working on the new UX campaign, I’ve seen first-hand Lexus’ commitment to craftsmanship and creativity. Like the Lexus UX customer, I’m always striving to express myself. I’m fortunate enough to be able to do that through my music, fashion, and art, and I am thankful that Lexus provided a new platform for me to do just that.”

Pascal Ruch, Vice President in charge of Lexus Europe: “Joy embodies Lexus’ passion and energy for creativity, design and sustainability. Her unique style and bold personality make her the perfect ambassador for the new Lexus UX.”

The new Lexus UX campaign is available to view online at https://www.lexus.eu/car-models/ux/ux-mc-joy-crookes/ and includes a television commercial, OOH advertising, digital advertising, CRM and social media content (both Instagram and TikTok).

For more information, please visit https://www.lexus.eu/car-models/ux/all-new-ux/

For the world-premiere press release, please visit: https://newsroom.lexus.eu/lexus-ux-upgrades-deliver-new-tech-improved-handling-and-more-choice/

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):  

A Lexus design challenge to envision how luxury mobility might evolve in the year 2040 has been won by “ALTO,” a radical concept for a personal, globe-like flying vehicle.

The work of young designer Richard Newman  was selected from among  six finalists in the Lexus 2040: the Soul of Future Premium programme. Presented by Lexus with the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London, the project challenged postgraduate students at the college’s Intelligent Mobility Design Centre (IMDC) to explore new vehicle architectures to meet changes in European city life and society and to re-imagine the role Lexus might play as a luxury mobility brand.

“ALTO,” is a hydrogen-powered VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) vehicle, its pendant shape inspired by hot air balloons and plant terrariums. Newman looks to a future where technology will become so commonplace, it will no longer be considered a luxury; instead, people will value “celebration of the everyday” as premium experiences. He describes the vehicle as “jewellery in the sky – like a cloud’s earring,” with an exterior that can be personalised. The design’s functionality also allows for seamless docking onto the side of buildings.

“I wanted to create something that is quite challenging, that would raise a few eyebrows, but which would also make people smile,” said Richard, from Coventry, UK. “It proved to be quite an organic design process and the changes I needed to make became quite evident as the programme progressed, with the input from the Lexus designers.”

The six-month programme included mentoring and assessment sessions with Ian Cartabiano and Lance Scott, respectively President and Senior Manager at Lexus’ European design studio, ED², together with Prof Dale Harrow, Chair of the IMDC, and Dr Chris Thorpe, the RCA’s Intelligent Mobility Head of Programme. They were joined on the judging panel by design author and commentator Nargess Banks and senior representatives from Lexus Europe to select the winner. 

The designers presented their work in person to the judges at a ceremony at the IMDC on 15 March. In addition to the winner, there were commendations for two runners-up:  Zhenyu Kong (China) for ”Lexus #Units” and Ben Miller (Canada) for “Crucible”.

Lexus #Units’ unique design takes its inspiration from the shape of coastal barriers. It is highly flexible and can reduce its footprint to adapt to narrow roads. The interior can be personalised using blockchain technology, so NFT artworks can be brought on a journey. Lexus #Units caters for Generation Alpha’s desire for diversity in self-expression, tapping into the popularity of social media for sharing of opinions and emotions. The vehicle can link to other vehicles and be used as a projector device, e.g. to join concerts or parties virtually.

The Crucible is a hydrogen-fuelled escape vehicle that divides itself to meet different use scenarios and contexts.  It separates the owned luxury cabin from the technology to create a service that is both carefree and personalised. The morphing interior can adapt to any configuration for seamless comfort and could even be put inside a house. Users could choose a different vehicle for weekdays and for weekends when they want to explore and meet others. In reference to Lexus design cues, Miller reinterpreted the Lexus spindle grille and created a light and airy vehicle that is easy to get in and out of, and that can be reclined for comfort.

Lance Scott said: “All the designers impressed us with their thinking, their ideation and the breadth of their imagination. What they produced was not just fantasy, but based on factual study of what ‘premium’ might mean in a future society, and they extrapolated this to create something very forward-thinking. With Richard Newman’s winning project, everything was well-thought-out and executed. His positive, optimistic view of the future of Lexus is very much what we want for our brand, something that can bring a smile to everyone’s face.” 

Prof Dale Harrow commented: “This has been a very rewarding project for everyone involved, and with Lexus we have been able to explore profound issues surrounding mobility in terms of future lifestyles and products. The results show how young designers are thinking deeply about mobility issues and bringing their day-to-day experiences to the project, from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.”

Etienne Plas, Senior Manager, Lexus Product Communications, said: “As a brand, we actively encourage and support the development of new design talent and thinking. This project has delivered intriguing and exciting new ideas about how Lexus might evolve as a brand to address changing mobility requirements and perceptions of what ‘premium’ means.”

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.

The Lexus NX 450h+ has been named the Plug-in Hybrid of the Year in the prestigious What Car? awards.

It is an auspicious first honour for the all-new mid-size premium SUV, Lexus’s first plug-in hybrid electric model, introduced in late 2021. What Car? has also recognised the Lexus LC 500 Convertible with the award for the Best High-end Convertible.

Steve Huntingford, What Car? Editor, expressed warm praise for the Lexus: “The Lexus NX is one of the most compelling reasons to go green that we’ve yet seen, with a long electric-only range which should not only slash motorists running costs, but also makes for tempting company car tax rates. The NX is good to drive, too, and has an interior that’s hard to fault in any respect. In short, Lexus has proved that driving an electrified car without accepting compromises need not be a fantasy.”

Turning to the award for the LC 500 Convertible, he added: “the LC 500’s V8 is an aural delight whether you’re revving it out on the open road or bumbling around town. Moreover, when the roof is in place and you’re cruising at speed, the LC is much better at shutting out wind noise than its rivals. Add in concept car looks and beautiful interior that feels like it’s been built to outlast the Earth and you have an unspeakably desirable package.”

The 450h+ is the halo model of the all-new NX range, a model that opens a new chapter for Lexus, introducing new directions in design, new powertrains and significant improvements in dynamic performance. Technology innovation provides a superior multimedia and connectivity package and new and enhanced Lexus Safety System+ active safety and driver assistance systems.

Lexus brought to bear its premium market leadership in hybrid electric technology to produce a new powertrain for the NX 450h+ that excels in all key areas. The full plug-in system, including electric motors and battery, produces a maximum 309 DIN hp / 227kW, enabling acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. At the same time, CO₂ emissions of between 21-25g/km and fuel economy of 0.9-1.1 l/100 km are among the best in the model’s class.

Thanks to its powerful, rechargeable lithium-ion battery and all-round powertrain efficiency, NX 450h+ also provides a substantially higher EV range: at 70 to 74 km in the combined WLTP cycle, rising to 89 to 97 km in the urban cycle, this is as much as twice the range offered by competitors in its segment.

Lexus pursued the theme of “ultimate beauty” in producing the LC 500 Convertible, a car that successfully reinterprets the award-winning design of the flagship LC coupe. Thanks to sophisticated aerodynamics and the crafting of a bespoke folding soft-top mechanism, the car presents powerful, elegant lines and ensures occupants travel in complete comfort – roof up or down. Tuning of the naturally aspirated V8 engine note and the exhaust adds a special aural dimension to the driving experience.

Chris Hayes, Director of Lexus in the UK, said: “The all-new NX 450h+ is a pivotal model for our brand, setting the template for future Lexus vehicles that will raise the level of driver rewards, environmental performance and all-round quality to an even higher level. To have our first plug-in hybrid electric model honoured with this award on its debut is an achievement that is warmly appreciated by everyone at Lexus. Likewise, the award for the LC 500 Convertible reflects the breadth of design and engineering excellence at work in our company.”

Lexus has a proud history of innovation in safety, a reputation that advances to an even higher level in the all-new NX. This luxury mid-size SUV goes further than any Lexus before with new technologies and safeguards to protect everyone on board, establishing a new partnership between car and driver to reduce the risk of an accident happening.

A new feature that exemplifies the high level of intelligent safety is the Safe Exit Assist system. Linked to the NX’s new e-latch one-touch electronic door release, this uses the Blind Spot Monitor radar to check for any traffic approaching from the rear. If there’s a risk of the door opening into the path of a vehicle or cyclist, it will flash a warning light in the door mirror, sound an alert, and cancel the door unlatching. The process is much like how a personal chauffeur would ensure the way is clear before opening the door for passengers to exit the vehicle safely.

Lexus was the first manufacturer to combine this safety technology with an e-latch system, earning it the Secure Car honour in France’s prestigious 2021 Automobile Awards, hosted by the Automobile Club de France. Lexus estimates that Safe Exit Assist can help prevent 95% of the accidents caused by untimely or inadvertent opening of the car’s doors.

This is one element in a comprehensive safety package for the new NX that also marks the debut of the third generation of Lexus Safety System +. This brings new features and greater functionality to detect significantly more accident risks, alert the driver and implement braking or steering to help prevent a collision, or reduce the consequences if an impact is unavoidable.

For example, upgrades to the Pre-Collision System enable its radar and camera systems to now identify pedestrians and motorcycles in the car’s path. Its performance when the driver is making a turn at intersection has also been extended so that high collision risks with oncoming traffic and crossing pedestrians can be detected. There’s also a new Emergency Steering Assist function that recognises when the driver is swerving to avoid an obstacle – a pedestrian or stationary vehicle, for example – and provides automatic assistance to avoid a collision while keeping the car within its traffic lane. And the car can intelligently spot and suppress unintended sharp acceleration at low speed. These improvements mean the PCS’s accident risk detection capability has significantly increased compared to the previous system.

The sense of a safe, reliable partnership between driver and car is further demonstrated in Lexus Safety System + features that reduce the driving burden. For example, intelligent, Adaptive Cruise Control that adjusts automatically to bends in the road ahead and the varying speeds of preceding vehicles, with speed control that feels more natural. It helps with smoother overtaking, with acceleration as the driver indicates to change lane, or automatic slowing when they move in behind a slower vehicle. Lane Departure Alert and Lane Trace Assist also help ensure the car keeps safely within its lane.

Lexus offers the option of a digital rear-view mirror, which gives the driver a clearer, unobstructed view using a real-time feed from the rear-mounted camera. In night-time driving and poor weather, the images are clearer than those from a conventional mirror. Also, the view isn’t compromised if the vehicle is fully loaded with holiday luggage or large items. Going further still, NX customers can also add an Extended Safety Package, providing Lane Change Assistance, with automatic steering when the turn indicators are used to change lanes in high driving, and a Front Cross Traffic Alert, warning of unseen vehicles approaching from either side when emerging from a junction at low speed.

Lexus’ ultimate goal is the elimination of traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities. The all-new NX demonstrates how the clever application of innovative technologies is giving drivers unprecedented support, creating a partnership with their vehicle that feels natural and is highly effective.

For more information please visit https://www.lexus.eu/car-models/nx/.

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

Lexus has honoured 10 of its retail partners as the best in Europe in its 2021 Kiwami Awards, rewarding all-round excellence achieved in the most challenging trading conditions the brand has ever experienced.

For this, the fifth year of the awards programme, the exacting judging standards took into account the crucial way retailers have adapted their procedures and their premises to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff and compliance with local restrictions and guidelines.

The principles of Lexus’ omotenashi customer service – treating a customer as you would a guest in your home – are central to the brand and have been successfully maintained as businesses adapted their operations and processes. New methods have been developed quickly and effectively to ensure people can still access the services, support and information they need, both for vehicle sales and repair and maintenance with the peace of mind that all necessary precautions have been taken to protect their health and safety. Video consultations with sales executives and test drives respecting social distancing and hygiene requirements are among the concepts that have been introduced or significantly developed.

The assessment of retailers’ performance for the awards included enquiries and visits by mystery shoppers who assessed every aspect of the customer journey, including this year the strict observance of Covid protection measures. These elements were in addition to the monitoring of courtesy, promptness and thoroughness of response, the quality of the facilities and the services provided. Lexus has around 300 dealerships across the region, among which the Kiwami winners are acknowledged as the finest (the award takes its name from a Japanese word meaning “ultimate”).

Pascal Ruch, TME Vice President in charge of Lexus Europe, said: “Our retail partners have had to address unprecedented circumstances in the past year, prioritising the health and safety of their teams and their customers, while also doing their utmost to maintain the finest Lexus omotenashi guest experience. Their efforts have been exceptional and I am proud of how they have maintained such impressive standards of customer care and business quality in such a challenging operating environment.

“The Kiwami Awards reward those who have achieved the greatest all-round performance, but our sincere thanks go to all our retailers who have worked tirelessly in the past year in support of the Lexus brand.”

With the Covid pandemic precluding the hosting of the traditional awards celebration, each winner will receive a personalised video message celebrating their success, together with their award.

The 2021 Kiwami winners are:

• Lexus Tblisi – Caucasus/Georgia
• Lexus Dijon – France
• Lexus Filderstadt – Germany
• Lexus Kifisias – Greece
• Lexus Padova – Italy
• Lexus Romerike – Norway
• Lexus Trójmiasto – Poland
• Lexus Krasnodar – Russia
• Lexus Sabadell – Spain
• Lexus Derby – UK

(winners by country in alphabetic order)

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.

As a category winner, it now goes forward for consideration for the Best Car of the Year title, to be announced by WWCOTY on 8 March, International Women’s Day.

This is the 11th year for the WWCOTY awards, judged by a team of 50 motoring journalists from 38 countries spanning five continents. It is the only jury in the automotive world composed exclusively of women.

Among the judges, Marta Garcia (Spain), WWCOTY Executive President, remarked: “The Lexus LC 500 Convertible is a delightful madness to dream about, a car to add to the bucket list. It retains all the passion of classic sports cars, the ones that didn’t need tricks or turbos to make you fall in love.”

Anat Daniel (Israel) commented on how the mixture of luxury with “Japanese sportiness” and a “magnificent” engine helps make this a “unique and unforgettable car,” while Charleen Clarke (South Africa) declared it “brilliant to drive.”

The LC Convertible – following the example set by its sister Coupe model – perfectly captures the spirit of Lexus’ evolution as a luxury lifestyle brand, providing discerning customers with driving pleasure, unique design and superb craftsmanship quality.

The scene was set for the LC Convertible when a concept version was revealed at the Detroit motor show in 2019, showing how Chief Designer Tadao Mori and his team had succeeded in translating the award-winning design of the Coupe into an equally stylish and desirable soft-top, following the principle of “ultimate beauty.” Only minimal changes were made for the production version, which was launched in world markets during 2020 and took its place as an aspirational, halo model for the entire Lexus line-up.

The designers focused on making a car that looks equally stunning with the roof up or down, applying Lexus’ famous attention to detail in areas such as the folding top mechanism to achieve the ideal lines without compromising cabin comfort or load space. The LC Convertible also delivers Lexus’ “exhilarating performance,” thanks to its 5.0-litre V8 engine and 10-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission, matching the Convertible with a 270 km/h top speed (electronically limited). Acceleration to 0-100 km/h can be accomplished in just five seconds, while precise aerodynamic styling prevents any uncomfortable wind buffeting when travelling at speed. The cabin is beautifully appointed, finished in high-quality materials throughout and reflecting Lexus’ human-centred philosophy in its design, comfort and multi-sensory appeal.

For 2021, WWCOTY adopted a new voting methodology by which the three best models in each category were selected before determining the individual winners. Eligible vehicles were launched between January and December 2020. As in previous years, votes were certified by the independent auditor Grant Thornton New Zealand.

For more information about WWCOTY, please visit https://www.womensworldcoty.com/.

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.

Acknowledging the crucial role they play in maintaining the luxury car maker’s world-class reputation for customer satisfaction, Lexus retailers from across Europe have been recognised in the annual Kiwami awards for excellence in guest experience. The awards programme, now in its 4th year, honours those who have best embraced the luxury car brand’s uniquely Japanese philosophy of omotenashi in their interaction with customers.

Omotenashi, which has been a cornerstone of the Lexus brand since its foundation over 30 years ago, centres around the retailer treating the customer as if they were a guest in their own home. In particular, it involves exceeding expectations by anticipating the customer’s needs before they do themselves. In a retail environment this finds expression in the level of appointment, facilities and ambience of the showroom and service area, the courtesy accorded to the customer, and the quality, timeliness and flexibility with which the service is provided.

The Kiwami Award takes its name from the Japanese word for “ultimate,” with just 14 winners selected from among more than 300 Lexus centres across Europe. The judging process consists of a two-stages, encompassing both the retailer’s guest experience standards and their overall business performance. Alongside a commitment to upholding Lexus’ standards in all aspects of their business, they must preside over a sound financial structure and demonstrate performance in line with their business and sales plans.

Pascal Ruch, Head of Lexus Europe, commented: “These awards are a reflection of the investment we make across the European dealer network to ensure that our representatives achieve the highest standards of omotenashi in all areas of their business, as we strive to do across the Lexus organisation. From product design and performance right through to servicing, this translates into going the extra mile for our customer at every turn.

“Rooted as it is in our brand, omotenashi provides a unique and enduring competitive advantage for both Lexus and our retailers, and we look forward to our Kiwami winners reaping the rewards of their exceptional efforts over the past year.”

The winners of the 2020 Kiwami Award are :

• Lexus Tbilisi / Caucasus (Georgia)
• Lexus Annemasse / France
• Lexus Osnabrück / Germany
• Lexus Padova / Italy
• Lexus Astana / Kazakhstan
• Lexus Romerike / Norway
• Lexus Trójmiasto/ Poland
• Lexus Warszawa-Żerań / Poland
• Lexus Togliatti / Russia
• Lexus Voronezh / Russia
• Lexus Sabadell / Spain
• Lexus Guildford / UK
• Lexus Cardiff / UK
• Lexus Odesa / Ukraine

(winners by country in alphabetic order)

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 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 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.

Lexus has placed guest experience at the heart of its business since the brand’s foundation almost 30 years ago, a commitment reflected in the annual presentation of Kiwami Award to those European retailers who achieve the highest standards. Today,10 businesses from among more than 300 Lexus centres across Europe have been honoured for their excellence.

The Kiwami Award, which takes its name from a Japanese word meaning “ultimate,” demonstrates how the principles of omotenashi hospitality are central to the Lexus brand, influencing not just the design and performance of its luxury vehicles, but also the quality and integrity of its business operations.

True to the best traditions of Japanese hospitality represented by omotenashi, each customer is treated as individual and welcomed by retailers with the courtesy that would be given to a guest in their home. The guest’s needs and preferences are recognised and anticipated with seamless, personal service that goes beyond their expectations.

The 2018 award winners were selected in a two-stage judging process which scrutinised each retailer’s guest experience standards and their overall business performance. To qualify, retailers must be a successful business, with a sound financial structure and performing strongly in line with their business and sales plans. As Lexus five-star retailers, they must demonstrate a commitment to upholding Lexus’ standards in all areas of their business. Only one award is made within each Lexus National Sales and Marketing Company (NMSC).

Dealer principals from the successful retailers were presented with the Kiwami Award by Pascal Ruch, Head of Lexus Europe, at a ceremony hosted on June 1^st in Marseille, France.

Pascal Ruch said: “Lexus’ ambition has not been simply to redefine great guest experience in the automotive industry, but to constantly recognise and respond to changes in customer habits and priorities. By harnessing the concept of omotenashi in developing their business, our European retailers are able to maintain the highest service standards, supported by the dedicated work of everyone in their teams.”

The winners of the 2018 Kiwami Award are:

Taavi Lepik, Lexus Tallinn, Estonia

Jean-Marie Degenève, Lexus Annemasse, France

Andreas Stege, Lexus Forum Osnabrück, Germany

Tarcisio Riva, Lexus Como, Italy

Tjeerd Roelofzen, Lexus Amsterdam, Netherlands

Michał Akszak-Okińczyc, Lexus Krakow, Poland

Liliya Dymova , Lexus Levoberezhny, Russia

Joaquín Meseguer, Lexus Sevilla, Spain

Steve Kelly, Lexus Hull, UK

Oleksii Shokh, Lexus DNIPRO Center, Ukraine

Lexus’s overall 90.66 per cent score reflects how the spirit of Omotenashi – the best traditions of Japanese hospitality – influences every aspect of the brand, from designing cars that protect and anticipate the needs of driver and passengers, to providing welcoming, professional and courteous service to every customer.

The result completes a triple Driver Power success for Lexus this year, having already been named “best manufacturer” and taking the “best premium SUV” title with the RX 450h.

Driver Power gathered the opinions of Auto Express readers about the franchised dealerships they use, covering subjects such as the facilities available on-site, availability of courtesy cars, staff politeness, the standard and speed of work carried out, clear communications and value for money.

The findings produced excellent scores for Lexus across the board, the magazine noting how it provides “by far the cleanest and most comfortable” facilities, with work done by technicians who are “clearly among the best in the business”. Lexus also emerged as the best brand for the standard and efficiency of service, maintenance and repair work.

The experience of Angela Phillips, a Lexus IS owner from Stockport, is representative of the survey’s findings. She told Auto Express how “nothing is too much trouble” for the team at Lexus Chester. “They recognise me as soon as I walk through the door and they know exactly what I am there for,” she said.

Ewan Shepherd, Director of Lexus in the UK, said: “The results of the Driver Power survey are a tremendous reward for everyone who works in our centres across the country. It is thanks to their hard work and commitment that we are able to deliver on our promise of consistently providing the highest levels of customer care and service. It is our aim to continue to raise the bar, going beyond our customers’ expectations and setting new standards for the motor industry.”

Lexus has been named “best manufacturer” in Auto Express’s 2017 Driver Power survey, an award that reflects high public esteem for the across-the-board quality and appeal of its model range.

The survey’s findings are based on the real-world experiences of thousands of United Kingdom’s new car owners. Their opinions placed Lexus highest in four out of nine qualifying categories, giving the luxury brand overall top ranking with a score of 92.29 per cent.

Graham Hope, Auto Express Editor, said: “Lexus has deservedly been crowned best car manufacturer by our readers with a set of results that demonstrates the brand's all-round appeal, being voted number one in areas as diverse as exterior styling, engine and gearbox performance and reliability and build quality.

We've always known Lexus builds great quality cars, but there's now an added dose of desirability to the range, too. It's no surprise that owners are so happy with their purchases."

This was not the only recognition Lexus was honoured with in this year’s Driver Power Awards Survey. The Lexus RX 450h luxury SUV has scooped the “Best Premium SUV” title - the fourth generation of the brand’s flagship SUV was given “exceptional scores” for its materials, build quality, refinement and new origami-style design.

The RX also drove away with the prize for “Best Safety Features”, with the class-leading Lexus Safety System which includes adaptive cruise control, advanced pre-crash system, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and automatic high beam coming as standard on every RX 450h.

Ewan Shepherd, Lexus UK Director, said: “This a huge reward for Lexus and great recognition of how we are successfully pushing new boundaries in design and technology, making high-quality cars that have stand-out styling, are rewarding to drive and are genuinely desirable to own. With our unmatched experience with hybrid power in the premium market, we are also able to provide a great driving experience with exceptional efficiency.”

Lexus has rewarded 10 retailers from across Europe with its prestigious Kiwami Award for excellence, true to the principle of excellence in customer service that has defined the brand ever since its launch 27 years ago.

Spanning the continent from Spain and the UK in the west to Russia and Ukraine in the east, the winning businesses demonstrate how Lexus’ core principles of Omotenashi care and hospitality can be successfully applied in diverse markets.

Omotenashi, inspired by fine Japanese traditions, is founded an anticipating and fulfilling people’s needs and it is a key factor in every aspect of Lexus’ business. In all parts of the world, Lexus dealers give every customer the welcome, courtesy and attention they would extend to a guest in their own home.

In 2016 Lexus Europe set out to find and celebrate the best of the best among almost 300 retailers, measuring performance in terms of Omotenashi, their commitment to upholding Lexus standards and successful business results. In a two-stage judging process, 10 were selected to receive the Kiwami (“ultimate” in Japanese) Award.

Dealer Principals from the winning retailers were invited on a unique experience trip to Japan where their schedule included sailing in the powerful and luxurious Lexus Sports Yacht and a chance to enjoy first-hand the cultural traditions of Omotenashi. The trophy presentation took place at Lexus’ brand showcase, INTERSECT by Lexus, in Tokyo.

2017 KIWAMI AWARD WINNERS

LEXUS ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN

LEXUS BREDA, NETHERLANDS

LEXUS CAEN, FRANCE

LEXUS CITY PLAZA, UKRAINE

LEXUS COMO, ITALY

LEXUS HEDGE END, UNITED KINGDOM

LEXUS KRAKÓW, POLAND

LEXUS LEVOBEREZHNIY, RUSSIA

LEXUS MADRID NORTE, SPAIN

LEXUS WARSZAWA-WOLA, POLAND

“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.

This success was achieved thanks to an unmatched combination of superior quality of Lexus cars and a customer centric approach rooted in traditional Japanese hospitality or “Omotenashi”. Omotenashi is a philosophy that is deeply embedded in Lexus’s people mind-set. Retailers treat each customer as a valued guest in their own “home”.

Lexus Russia offers to its clients a range of personalized, convenient and cost-effective services and programmes, such as an online used vehicle inspection, an online maintenance booking or a test drive with an option to choose a route, the "Help on the Road" programme and more.

John Thomson, Senior Director Lexus Sales & Marketing, CS & Experience, Coordinator Executive Lexus in Russia, commented on this victory: "It's a great honour for us to win the trust of consumers in Russia. We are proud that the Lexus brand was presented with this respectable award. I want to thank our customers and dealers for their loyalty. We will continue to strive to create amazing experiences, exceeding expectations and anticipating the needs of our customers in Russia."

The founders of the annual "AUTO DEALER OF THE YEAR" award are the analyst agency "AUTOSTAT" and the Internet portal AutoMarketolog.ru with the support of "Avito Auto".

Lexus has no peers when it comes to reliability, being the only manufacturer accorded a top five-star rating in the 2016 Which? Car Survey.

The survey results were calculated from the real-world ownership experiences of almost 60,000 people, taking into account issues such breakdowns, repair costs, common faults and the number of days vehicles have had to be taken off the road to correct problems.

Lexus achieved strong results across the board in the Which? guide to the best new and used buys in different market categories. The NX crossover was named the best compact SUV on the new car market, with a five-star reliability rating, while the second and third generation RX models were revealed as the two best large SUVs for used vehicle customers. The IS and GS saloons also achieved top-four placings in the large and luxury car categories, while the CT 200h hatchback was given a “best buy” recommendation among new medium-size models.

Ewan Shepherd, Lexus Director, said: “Which? is respected worldwide for the accuracy and thoroughness of its product testing and investigations, which makes this result especially rewarding for us. Lexus’s reputation is built on not just developing excellent vehicles, but also on providing our customers with an exceptional ownership experience, so it is hugely encouraging to receive such positive feedback and support for what we are delivering with our model range and the service we are providing in our showrooms and workshops.”

Which? is not alone in finding that Lexus provides lasting quality and satisfaction, new or old. This year’s Auto Express Driver Power survey was an unprecedented success for Lexus, with models claiming first, second and three other places in the top 10, and Autocar declaring the IS executive sports saloon its Used Car of the Year.

Brussels, Belgium - The annual AUTOCAR AWARDS recognise some of the industry’s most significant cars and characters. Lexus is pleased to communicate that the Lexus IS has won the coveted Autocar Used Car of the Year 2016 award.

Explaining its decision, Autocar said: “What we have seen and heard from owners, mechanics and the car trade convinced us that there is no other model so deserving of the title. The simple fact is that no one has a bad word to say about their Lexus IS.”

Autocar Editorial Director Jim Holder, added: “We selected the Lexus because it’s inexpensive to buy, has a reliability record that’s the envy of the industry and it’s extremely cost-effective to run.”

Combining elegance with sporty dynamism, the IS offers the perfect balance of luxurious comfort and performance. Since the launch of the first generation IS in 1999, Lexus has already sold more than 180,000 units in Europe. The 2016 range includes the full hybrid IS 300h and the new IS 200t, powered by a 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine.

Lexus has also dominated the AUTO EXPRESS 2016 DRIVER POWER SURVEY, with Lexus models topping three categories for the UK’s most reliable used cars.

Our three winning models were the IS as the most reliable used compact executive car, the RX as the most reliable used 4×4 or SUV, and the GS as the most reliable used executive car. Our CT was also runner-up in the most reliable compact family cars category.

The 2016 Driver Power car customer satisfaction survey asked 50,000 UK car owners how they rated their cars for reliability, with the data providing an invaluable insight for anyone considering the purchase of a new car. This is a good indicator of what real owners think of their cars, across a wide range of categories including reliability, build quality, handling, performance, running costs and more.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express, said “it seems to be a given that Lexus will dominate the reliability charts in our Driver Power Survey, so it’s no surprise that’s the case in 2016. A Lexus is very unlikely to go wrong – and if it does, the dealers will react superbly to fix things.”

Brussels, Belgium - Lexus is by far the car brand which the Swedish and Norwegian car owners are most satisfied with. It is the fifth year that Lexus is included in the AutoIndex surveys and the fifth time that Lexus tops the list – in both countries.

In Sweden, Lexus achieved a score of 895 points out of 1,000, which is 18 points ahead of the runner-up brand. The industry average score was 818 points. The result of this year’s Auto Index survey is consistent with the completely unmoderated reviews that Lexus owners leave on the Lexus Sweden website (http://www.lexus.se/). By letting its customers freely post their opinions on its own channel, Lexus Sweden aims to stimulate dialogue between customers and to provide better information for potential buyers.

In Norway, Lexus gets the highest score overall and in all categories. Commenting on this result, Knut-Erik Jahnsen, head of Lexus Norway, said: ‘It’s wonderful to receive this award for the 5th consecutive year on behalf of all the skilled Lexus colleagues at the dealerships – they made this possible! We are particularly pleased to see Lexus’ score increase further in the areas of sales and workshop service, where the people in the Norwegian Lexus organization have the greatest impact.’

More than 18,000 randomly selected Swedish car owners and 13,000 Norwegian car owners participated in the AutoIndex 2016 surveys, performed in the first quarter of 2016, to evaluate their satisfaction about quality, driving dynamics and comfort of their car as well as about dealers, after sales service and their brand loyalty. AutoIndex 2016 covers vehicles registered in the period 2009-2015.

• Third generation RX luxury SUV named the UK’s most reliable car, ahead of the current IS sedan
• Lexus GS placed fourth, with NX and CT rounding off the top 10-rated models
• Clean sweep in survey’s top three for build quality for NX, and second and third generation RX
• Four Lexus models in the top 10 “best cars to own”
• Survey based on the real-world experiences of almost 50,000 motorists

London, United Kingdom - Lexus has achieved unprecedented success in Auto Express’s search for the UK’s most reliable cars. The results of the 2016 Driver Power survey see the third generation RX luxury SUV achieving the highest rating, narrowly ahead of the current IS saloon.

A top-three clean-sweep was only prevented by the achievement of the Toyota Land Cruiser in third place, shading out the current Lexus GS saloon. To complete the emphatic performance, the NX crossover and CT premium hatchback rounded off the survey’s top 10 models.

In fact every Lexus model eligible for the survey is featured. The absence of the RC coupe (only recently launched) and the LS limousine is that they have not achieved the sales volumes required for inclusion.

Auto Express declared Lexus has “smashed” the survey, which brings together the real-world experiences and opinions of almost 50,000 motorists. Announcing the results, it said: “A new Lexus RX was launched in 2015, but given the Japanese marque’s formidable performance, who would bet against the new version repeating the success of its predecessor, which tops our reliability chart this year.”

Turning to the IS, it describes how the car “doesn’t take any prisoners when it comes to reliability,” an area where it has “forged a reputation for excellence”. The GS is praised for its “luxuriously appointed and high-spec’ interior” and the NX is recognised for adding excellent reliability to the qualities that it shares with its larger RX sister model.

Ewan Shepherd, Lexus Director, said: “We strive to give our customers complete peace of mind when it comes to being able to rely on their car, day in, day out. Their level of satisfaction is clearly communicated in this extraordinary survey result, vindicating everything we do to deliver the highest quality in all our models.

“It is also significant that their opinions are in the great majority based on their experiences with our hybrid technology, confirming yet again the lasting quality and trustworthy performance of Lexus Hybrid Drive.”

Lexus also performed strongly in other Driver Power categories, notably posting a one-two-three for build quality with the NX and second and third generation RX models. In the “best car to own” results, which take in performance across all survey criteria, Lexus claimed four of the top 10 places with the IS (the top-rated car in 2015) in fourth, GS in fifth, third generation RX in sixth and second generation RX in 10th.

And if you want to know which car has the comfiest seats, the survey reveals that honour, too, goes to the third generation Lexus RX.

Detroit, Michigan, USA - The Lexus LC 500 was named 2016 EyesOn Design Award for Design Excellence – Production Car and EyesOn Design Award for Design Excellence – Interior Design at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on Tuesday, January 12.

The NAIAS 2016 EyesOn Design Awards honor the best production and concept vehicles making their worldwide auto show debut at NAIAS. The awards are selected by active and retired design heads of automotive manufacturers and transportation design chairs from top art schools.

Designed by Lexus Design in Toyota City, Japan, the LC 500 represents the future direction of exhilarating and progressive design for Lexus. The Lexus designers were challenged to work closely with engineers to take the LF-LC show car and make it a reality. They were seeking new ways to redefine the Lexus design style with dynamic design and advanced technology, yet remain within reach for luxury buyers.

“I am so honored to receive the EyesOn Design awards for best interior design and design excellence for the LC 500 from our designer peers,” said Tadao Mori, chief designer of the LC 500. “The LC 500 is a clear result of the passion, hard work and collaboration between the designers and engineers for the future chapter of Lexus.”

The Lexus RX scored 91% for "Adult Occupant", 82% for "Child Occupant", 79% for "Pedestrian Protection" and 77% for "Safety Assist".

With an overall score of 79%, the RX has the best pedestrian protection score of all large SUVs ever tested by Euro NCAP.

Commenting on the Pedestrian Protection category, Euro NCAP highlighted the maximum points scored by the RX for the protection provided to pedestrian's legs and to the pelvic region, head protection was also predominantly good. In this particular field, Lexus is even ahead of the curve as the autonomous emergency braking system offered on all RX actively detects pedestrians. This system could not be rewarded in this evaluation as it will only be assessed by Euro NCAP as from 2016.

Euro NCAP also underlined that all features evaluated for "Safety Assist" are offered as standard equipment in the RX.

The RX is indeed providing as standard the most advanced and comprehensive set of active safety features on any premium crossover, the Lexus Safety System+ includes:

• Pre-Crash System that uses a front-mounted camera and millimetre-wave radar to detect vehicles and pedestrians on the road ahead.
• Adaptive Cruise Control, which helps the driver maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, even at very low speeds.
• Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA), which recognise when the new RX is deviating from its lane on the highway and help the driver steer the vehicle safely back to its correct path.
• Automatic High Beam, which detects oncoming traffic and vehicles ahead and automatically switches the headlights between high and low beam.
• The Road Sign Assist system that uses a front camera to recognise principal warning and command signs, which are then replicated on the multi-information display, reducing the risk of the driver not being aware speed limits, lane closures and other important information.

Even though not considered by Euro NCAP, Lexus RX is further equipped with optional Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Sway Warning which detects the signs of driver drowsiness and 360° Panoramic View Monitor dedicated to protecting its occupants and pedestrians.

Results by Euro NCAP : http://www.euroncap.com/en/results/lexus/rx/22034

Two RC F GT3s, campaigned by European teams Farnbacher Racing and Emil Frey Racing, finished first and second in the SPX prototype class and 10th and 11th in the overall classification.

Both cars also completed 28 laps of the full Nurburgring endurance racing circuit - the same as the overall winner - in a further confirmation of their pace and consistency.

The result marks a significant milestone for the program to hone the new Lexus RC F GT3 throughout 2015.

Farnbacher Racing and Emil Frey Racing are co-developing the RC F GT3 and will run the vehicle at other events of the VLN, a series of endurance races at the Nurburgring organised by German motoring clubs.

Japan's LM Corsa team is also running an RC F GT3 in the GT 300 class of the 2015 Japanese Super GT championship.

The Lexus RC F GT3 is built to comply with GT3 regulations, which are for grand tourer style racecars that can be campaigned in various championships around the world.

It is based on the Lexus RC F sports coupe but is lower, wider and weighs just 1250kg.

It also features a modified version of the RC F's 5.0-litre V8 engine that produces in excess of 400kW of power (540 horsepower).

This year again, Lexus is by far the car brand which the Swedish and Norwegian car owners are most satisfied with. It is the fourth year that Lexus is included in the AutoIndex surveys and the fourth time that Lexus tops the list — in both countries.

In Sweden, Lexus achieved a score of 897 points out of 1,000 whilst the average satisfaction value of the survey was 822 points. In Norway, Lexus broke a new record in the survey, with 918 points out of 1,000.

More than 17,000 Swedish car owners and 11,000 Norwegian car owners participated in the AutoIndex 2015 surveys, performed in the first quarter of 2015, to evaluate their satisfaction about quality, performance and comfort of their car as well as about dealers, after sales service and their brand loyalty. AutoIndex 2015 covers vehicles registered in the period 2008-2014.

Contacts

Sweden :

Bengt Dalström

pr@toyota.se 

T +46 8 706 71 00

Norway:

Jan-Christian Holm

jan.christian.holm@lexus.no 

T +47 90 88 04 82

The IS also takes top spot in the category for best compact executive car with a 93.96 per cent satisfaction rating and is the highest-rated model for ease of driving. Its success reflects the growing popularity and appreciation of Lexus hybrid power as a smooth, refined, efficient and reliable technology.The new Lexus NX compact SUV also makes an immediate impact, being named best car for build quality within its first six months on the road in the UK.Lexus's achievements extend all the way to making the most comfortable seats (in the RX).Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief, said: ""This is superb news for Lexus, winning a hat-full of Driver Power 2015 Awards."The new IS in first position is clearly much loved by its owners, while the new NX also features highly in our survey after just a few months on sale. In fact, even some of the older Lexus models are highly ranked, showing the enduring quality of the cars and the attention to detail of the dealers. Lexus is setting the standards other car makers need to aim for."Richard Balshaw, Lexus Director, said: "Auto Express's Driver Power survey has impressive reach and relevance, making these awards all the more valuable."The opinions of Britain's motorists are the best advocacy we could hope for as we increase our model range, bringing exciting new designs and more advanced technologies to the luxury car market. Furthermore, we remain committed to our original concept of delivering the best customer service, something everyone in Lexus has worked for since our brand was launched here 25 years ago."The full list of awards:Best ManufacturerBest Car — third generation (current) Lexus ISBest Compact Executive Car — third generation (current) Lexus ISBest for Ease of Driving — third generation (current) Lexus ISBest for Seat Comfort — second generation Lexus RXBest for Build Quality — Lexus NXThat is not the end of the story: there are two further Auto Express Driver Power awards for Lexus that remain under wraps until an announcement later this year.The results are drawn from the experience of motorists themselves — readers of Auto Express magazine and its website. This year's survey attracted a record 61,113 responses, confirming it as the UK's largest in-depth car satisfaction survey. Full results of the Auto Express Driver Power 2015 survey are available in Auto Express magazine now, and at www.autoexpress.co.uk/driverpower.

Supporting images are available on the Lexus UK newsroom at the following address: http://media.toyota.co.uk/2015/04/lexus-reaps-rich-rewards-in-auto-express-driver-power-2015-survey/

The evaluation of the vehicle's environmental performance was conducted not only based on its fuel consumption and emissions but also on its entire life cycle, including production, logistics and recycling. The GS 300h convinced the experts in all areas.

The GS 300h is available in Europe since December 2013. After the GS 450h, it is the 2nd model of the GS model range equipped with the Lexus Hybrid Drive. Its full hybrid powertrain combines an Atkinson cycle L4 petrol engine with an electric motor and develops a total system output of 164 kW (223 hp). The average fuel consumption is 4.7 liters per 100 kilometers (109 g / km CO2).

In 2014 the GS 300h was also awarded 'Residual Value Champion' by the German Auto magazine 'Auto Bild'.

About Lexus

Launched in 1989, Lexus has become renowned throughout the world for its pursuit of perfection, the outstanding quality and sophisticated high-technology content of its products, and for its unique concept of complete customer service. Further reinforcing the traditional Lexus values of unparalleled build quality, comfort and interior luxury, Lexus is currently rejuvenating its line-up, launching a new wave of emotional and inspirational products featuring bolder product execution, superior driving dynamics and state-of-the-art technologies. Today, Lexus remains the first - and only - premium automotive manufacturer to offer a comprehensive full-hybrid model range comprising RX 450h, GS 450h, GS 300h, LS 600h, ES 300h, CT 200h, IS 300h and the NX 300h.

• Outstanding result for Safety Assist and Pedestrian Protection

The Lexus NX 300h has been awarded the prestigious Euro NCAP five-star rating. The scores for all the respective tested areas were well above the minimum required to achieve five stars, and rank the new Lexus amongst the very safest vehicles in its segment.

The programme is composed of four areas - Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian Protection and, since 2009, Safety Assist. The latter includes injury avoidance and mitigating functions, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Electronic Stability Control and a speed limiter.

The Lexus NX 300h scored 82% for Adult Occupant, 82% for Child Occupant, 69% for Pedestrian Protection and 71% for Safety Assist.

Commenting on the Adult Occupant category, Euro NCAP highlighted the maximum points scored by the NX 300h in the side barrier impact test, the good protection offered of all critical body areas.

Tests on the front seats and head restraints, and the geometric assessment of the rear restraints, indicated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of rear-end collision.

In the Child Occupant tests, the NX 300h scored well for its protection of both 18 month and three year old children, and in the Pedestrian Protection category, the bumper provided 'good or adequate' protection to pedestrian's legs.

In the Safety Assist area the NX demonstrated 'good performance' mainly thanks to the Pre-Crash Safety System, the Electronic Stability Control with seatbelt reminder for front and rear occupants, and speed assistant system.

Even though not assessed by Euro NCAP, Lexus NX 300h is further equipped with optional Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive High Beam, Blind Spot Monitor and 360° Panoramic View Monitor, dedicated to protecting its occupants and pedestrians.

Results by Euro NCAP : http://ow.ly/Fh5Kb

13,000 drivers participated in the survey. The questions covered areas such as technical ability, dynamic quality and overall design.

Lexus owners evaluated their cars with a score of 4.721 out of 5 making the brand the clear winner.

Furthermore, Lexus dealerships and authorised garages were most appreciated in Poland. The respondents praised the quality of maintenance and repair as well as the customer service delivered in Lexus retailers.

This strong appreciation of Lexus also translates in increased sales in Poland: +81% over the period January to September 2014.

The Finnish magazine Tuulilasi has released the results of the annual Merkkien Merkki survey. Lexus is the absolute winner with a total of 803 points, followed by Toyota (780 points). This is the sixth time Lexus wins this survey in the last seven years.

The Merkkien Merkki survey measures customer satisfaction through 24 different questions, grouped in four main areas: the cars as such, sales services, after-sales services and brand loyalty. This year, 9,565 customers participated to the survey.

Besides being the overall winner this year, Lexus also tops the rankings for sales and after-sales services and for the cars as such.This recognition corroborates Lexus' leading position in other Nordic countries. For the third year in a row, Lexus was this year the clear winner of the largest car satisfaction surveys in Norway and Sweden, AutoIndex 2014."Despite an increasingly tough battle for market share and greater focus on large discounts in the industry, we remain true to our strategy which has always been to deliver an amazing customer experience", Head of Lexus Europe Alain Uyttenhoven commented. "It is great to see that customers recognize our efforts. We see these outstanding results as a strong support for further sales growth in the region."

More information about Merkkien Merkki can be found here: http://goo.gl/ZNr9Ac

Lexus is once again UK's top ranked manufacturer in the annual WhatCar?/JD Power customer satisfaction survey, regaining its pre-eminent position for an unprecedented 12th time.

Lexus, sharing top place this year with Jaguar, succeeded thanks to the high opinions of owners of its CT and RX full hybrids. The verdict they delivered on their cars, running costs and the service they receive from Lexus dealers added up to an overall 80.8 per cent score. The average for this year's study, which attracted more than 15,000 submissions from owners of 109 different vehicles, was 77.2 per cent.

Jim Holder, What Car? editor, said: ""It is great to see Lexus returning to form in this year's What Car?/JD Power customer satisfaction study, sharing the top slot with Jaguar.

"The 2014 win brings the total years Lexus has held this coveted position to 12, an amazing achievement. The arrival of the Lexus CT in the top 10 overall underlines how Lexus continues to meet the expectations of buyers even as it expands its line-up into new categories."

This was the first year the CT 200h, the world's first premium compact hatchback with hybrid power, was eligible for consideration, the survey being for cars first registered between January 2011 and December 2012. The CT has made an immediate impact, being ranked seventh overall and second in the survey's category for best small family cars.

What Car? reported: "This is the CT's first appearance in the JD Power survey and it's a great debut. Buyers enjoy the quality feel of the interior and the clear layout of the dashboard and instrument panels. They also like the smooth CVT gearbox."

The RX emerged as the highest-ranked large SUV for the second year running, and held 16th place overall. Summarising the positives put forward by owners, What Car? said: "It's comfortable, refined and its cabin uses upmarket materials. Lexus dealers also do a great job of keeping their customers happy."

Richard Balshaw, Lexus director, said: "This excellent result is a tribute to the effort invested by everyone in Lexus, from the factory to our UK showrooms and workshops, to ensure we deliver the best quality to our customers in every aspect of the ownership experience.

"We continue to be grateful to our established customers, and the increasing number who are new to us as we expand and develop our range, for their loyalty, enthusiasm and advocacy of our brand.".

This year, for the second consecutive time, the full hybrid Lexus GS 450h proved to be the best choice for a CEO.

For many years, the Fleet Awards Polska has been a performance indicator of the Polish fleet market reflecting fleet managers' satisfaction and trust in fleet vehicles, products and services.

The winning models and services are appointed via internet voting and direct tests. This year a jury consisting of almost 180 fleet managers, journalists and invited guests tested nearly 90 cars and more than 60 services and products. In total, nearly 290,000 votes were cast in all categories which is an absolute record since the awards' creation. Additionally, 2013 sales numbers influenced the evaluation.

The GS 450h is the winner in the category of fleet vehicles for CEO level customers.