Lexus Visits St. Vincent Meals on Wheels

Throughout the year, Lexus sponsors Meals on Wheels' Cart for a Cause food truck. On December 15, Lexus General Manager Mark Templin and members of the Lexus marketing team visited St. Vincent Meals on Wheels in Downtown L.A. to get an inside look at how this amazing organization supports the hungry and home-bound.

To make your own $5 donation to St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, simply text MEALS to 20222 or visit www.StVincentMOW.org. (Standard text messaging rates apply. Contact your cell phone carrier for details.)

Lexus of Maplewood - December Newsletter

Season's Greetings from all of us at Lexus of Maplewood! We would like to wish you and your loved ones a joyous, safe and happy holidays.  We hope the coming year brings you all good fortune and heath!

Vehicle Profile: The 2012 Lexus CT 200h Luxury, style, performance, value and 43 mpg. Last year, the five-door CT 200h hybrid became the fifth hybrid vehicle to join the Lexus stable, slotting in as the high-value, high-efficiency gateway for younger buyers, along with environmentally conscientious buyers of all ages, looking to enter the Lexus fold. The new 2012 Lexus CT 200h continues to offer incredible fuel economy, superior refinement and remarkable value while broadening the model line with a new limited F SPORT special edition that puts the emphasis on the car’s sporty side. December to Remember - Our Gift To You! by Matt Koehnen - General Sales Manager Click on the red bow for our Season's Greetings specials!   Do you have a December to Remember story you would like to share with Lexus of Maplewood? If you have Lexus or Dealership story you would like us to share in the Lexus of Maplewood Newsletter please contact Katie the Corporate Marketing Manager at Ktroutman@lexusofmaplewood.com or 952-746-6910 for more information. [FULL STORY]   The Lexus Courtside Club is here! Minnesota Timberwolves Premium Seating by Katie Troutman - Corporate Marketing Manager Starting December 17th, the Timberwolves season will begin, so take a seat in the Lexus Courtside Club and prepare yourself for an NBA thrill ride! In 2006, the vision for the Lexus Courtside Club began in the conference rooms at Lexus of Wayzata and Lexus of Maplewood. The number one goal was to provide the most exclusive luxury experience at Target Center, driveway-to-driveway, for Timberwolves games. Not only do members receive benefits like valet, gourmet cuisine and access to the Lexus Lounge and Locker Room every game but they sit in the Lexus seats just inches from the game's greatest players. Read the full newsletter: http://bit.ly/uJHV0F

Toys for Tots Charity Drive - 'Share a Bow' through January 3!

There is only a week remaining in the Lexus charity drive for Toys for Tots. Help us give up to $100k to the organization by going to the following link http://on.fb.me/jGoCOr then clicking "Share a Bow." Through January 3, Lexus will donate $5 each time you share the bow with your friends. Hurry!

'Tis the season for the Lexus Holiday Pandora channel! What is your favorite holiday song?

Listen to the Lexus Holiday channel on Pandora: http://bit.ly/uYtcnK

Lexus LF-LC Revealed!

In a screwup of epic proportions, Road & Track accidentally published a video on their Youtube page revealing the Lexus LF-LC concept set to debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

The video has since been taken down, but not before spreading like wildfire across the Internet — here’s some screenshots taken from the ten second clip:

Also mixed through the video were cut-up shots of the side profile — here’s my attempt to composite them together (click for a larger version):

The image doesn’t respond well to boosting the brightness, but it does reveal one crucial detail — the LF-LC will be a hybrid:

Considering the poor quality of the video, there’s still plenty left to see of the new concept — but I have to say, this LFA-inspired coupe is nothing short of amazing.

More tomorrow (after I have some time to absorb all this awesomeness)!

 

Courtesy of Lexus Enthusiast

Lexus reveals another concept teaser!

The latest teaser of the new Lexus Concept coming to Detroit features a unique design, with continuous flowing lines filling the cabin – all of which are wrapped in embroidered leather, wood, and other high quality materials. Lexus and parent company Toyota still haven’t offered any real information on this new Concept but the steeply sloping roofline supports that idea that this new Lexus will be a sports car. However, in fine Lexus fashion, we can expect the Concept being unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show to offer all premium interior finishes, a high end infotainment system and a comfortable – yet sporty- race inspired seat also clad in leather.

The only official information offered on the Lexus Concept coming to the Detroit Auto Show is that the car was designed at the Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California. We do not know what type of vehicle this is, whether it sports a traditional or hybrid (or electric) drivetrain or what – if any – existing Toyota product the new Lexus Concept will be based on.

Lexus has shown their sporty spirit with models like the IS-F, the GS350 F Sport and, of course, the incredible Lexus LFA supercar. The issue is that the sport-inspired IS and GS models are the range topping so they are among the most expensive vehicles in the lineup and the LFA carries a $375,000 price tag…making it well out of reach of even most Lexus buyers. However, Toyota and Subaru have seemingly done a great job of developing the new rear wheel drive, Boxer engine powered vehicle so packing the Toyota GT-86 full of luxury amenities and giving it a Lexus name of its own could help Lexus appeal to a younger crowd with a lower price than any of the other sporty Lexus models.

Of course, this is all speculation and until the 2012 North American International Auto Show opens in January, we may not know exactly what Lexus is going to unveil. Hopefully Lexus and parent company Toyota will continue to issue teasers of what could be a very exciting new concept from Lexus.

Courtesy of TorqueNews

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Oil Changes

An oil and filter change involves draining out the old motor oil and replacing it with fresh, new motor oil. The oil filter also gets replaced at the same time.

Should I do this service when it's recommended?

In general, yes. Changing your vehicle's oil is one of the most important things you can do to avoid bringing large bags of money to your mechanic later on.

However, there's a lot of controversy about exactly when engine oil gets old and how often it should be replaced with new oil. Because there are many factors at work -- how you drive, the condition and age of the engine, the external environment you drive in, and stop-and-go versus highway driving -- it's an inexact science. Owner's manual recommendations for oil and filter changes vary from 3,000 to 10,000 miles.

We recommend that you change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles. That's our best estimate. It may be too soon for many people and too late for a few, but for the vast majority, 5,000-mile oil changes will help your engine last to a ripe, old age.

You may want to consider changing your oil more frequently if:

• You drive like a knucklehead: jackrabbit starts, heavy acceleration or high-speed driving
• You live where the climate is extremely hot or cold
• You often drive on dirt roads
• Your engine is old and burns oil
• You frequently carry heavy loads (several mothers-in-law or other cargo)

Why do I have to do this?

Oil undergoes thermal breakdown due to high operating temperature. When this occurs, the oil becomes less effective as a lubricant. And without a good lubricant (read: expensive), parts of the engine rub together and wear each other out.

Oil also contains additives that have the ability to neutralize acids. Over time, these additives get used up and stop being effective.

Finally, oil can absorb water, dust and combustion byproducts and also hold them in suspension. Eventually, the oil gets saturated with this stuff and can't absorb any more. Then that stuff remains in the engine and can cause corrosion.

What happens if I don't do this?

Your engine won't last as long as it could. Oil serves many crucial functions, and clean oil performs those functions better than dirty oil. Oil is relatively cheap, and changing your oil every 5,000 miles is a very cheap insurance policy against major repairs down the road.

Courtesy of CarTalk

Lexus Vehicles Earn Top Safety Pick Awards

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) today announced that two Lexus vehicles earned Top Safety Pick awards for the 2012 model year.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Steve St. Angelo, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., said, “Safety is a core value that dates back to the foundation of our company. IIHS’ awards further recognize our commitment to helping protect drivers and passengers.”

The 2012 model year winners are: Lexus CT 200h and Lexus RX

According to the IIHS, Top Safety Pick awards recognize vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on ratings in IIHS tests.

Courtesy of Toyota.com

The Lexus Fashion Workshop: The Challenge

The Lexus Fashion Workshop is a series about four innovative minds and their challenge to recycle the Lexus CT Hybrid into a complete fashion collection. Watch the teaser right here!

Talk about a road trip! On this day, 100 years ago, Amundsen became the first explorer to reach the South Pole.

Norwegian Roald Amundsen becomes the first explorer to reach the South Pole, beating his British rival, Robert Falcon Scott.

Amundsen, born in Borge, near Oslo, in 1872, was one of the great figures in polar exploration. In 1897, he was first mate on a Belgian expedition that was the first ever to winter in the Antarctic. In 1903, he guided the 47-ton sloop Gjöa through the Northwest Passage and around the Canadian coast, the first navigator to accomplish the treacherous journey. Amundsen planned to be the first man to the North Pole, and he was about to embark in 1909 when he learned that the American Robert Peary had achieved the feat.

Amundsen completed his preparations and in June 1910 sailed instead for Antarctica, where the English explorer Robert F. Scott was also headed with the aim of reaching the South Pole. In early 1911, Amundsen sailed his ship into Antarctica's Bay of Whales and set up base camp 60 miles closer to the pole than Scott. In October, both explorers set off--Amundsen using sleigh dogs, and Scott employing Siberian motor sledges, Siberian ponies, and dogs. On December 14, 1911, Amundsen's expedition won the race to the Pole and returned safely to base camp in late January.

 

Courtesy of History.com

Lexus to Unveil Concept Vehicle at North American International Auto Show

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 12, 2011 – Lexus will unveil a new concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 9, 2012. Designed by Calty, the company's design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., the concept showcases the new design direction embraced by Lexus.

The Detroit Auto Show is right around the corner, now just a few weeks away. And with each approaching day, we get a clearer picture of what to expect when the doors open at Motown's Cobo Hall on January 9.

Here we have our first glimpse at a new concept car which Lexus will be unveiling at the show. All we have to go on so far is the teaser image you see above (which you can click to view in high resolution) and a brief statement (after the jump), but from what we can tell it looks very aggressive, and rather sportscar-like.

Penned by Lexus' Calty studio in Newport Beach, the concept is said to preview a bolder new design language for the Toyota luxury division. We're sure to get more information and a better look as the show approaches, so be on the lookout for more.

Courtesy of Autoblog

Lexus and Scholastic Announce First Round of Winners in the 2011 - 2012 Lexus Eco Challenge

Sixteen student teams from 11 states have been named winners in the first round of the fifth annual Lexus Eco Challenge, an educational program and contest that inspires and empowers young people to learn about the environment and take action to improve it. Lexus will award a total of $500,000 in grants and scholarships throughout this year’s program.

Students across the country demonstrated their commitment to the planet with programs aimed at protecting land and water. Each winning team has earned $10,000 in scholarships and grants to be shared among the students, teacher and school. Their win has secured each team an invitation to participate in the Final Challenge for a chance at one of two $30,000 grand prizes and eight $15,000 first-place awards. In addition, the winning action plans will be featured on a special Web page to inspire other students to take action in their communities at www.scholastic.com/lexus.

“Today’s teens have the energy and dedication to make the world a better place,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “At Lexus, we’re proud to give them the opportunity to show their capabilities to others, as well as discover their own potential to improve the environment around them.”

For each of the challenges, teams are required to define an environmental issue that is important to them, develop an action plan to address the issue, implement the plan, and report on the results. The Challenge #1 winning teams that best addressed environmental challenges associated with land and water are:

High School Teams:

• New York (LaGrangeville) – “Team S.A.L.T. (Save Another Living Tree)” – Arlington
High – Experimented with new road salt to minimize impact on plants and trees near roads.
• New York (LaGrangeville) – “Invasive Annihilators” - Arlington High – Cleared a local
park of invasive species to restore the natural habitat.
• New York (Jericho) – “The Green Musketeers” – Jericho High School – Developed a
water filtration system.
• New York (Stony Brook) – “Trash Talking Teens” – Stony Brook University High
School – Worked with local small businesses to survey recycling habits and develop a
recycling plan.
• Massachusetts (Boston) “Climate Action Network” – Boston Latin School -- Created a zero-sort recycling program to cut trash at their school by 50%.
• Ohio (Chesterland) – “Environmental Discovery Project” - West Geauga High School -
Worked at their school and in their community to educate and implement composting ideas.
• Georgia (Atlanta) – “ECO (Westminster Environmental Campus Organization)” – The Westminster Schools – Installed low-flush toilets, recycling bins and replaced the in-organic produce in their school cafeteria.
• California (Vista) – “The Preservation Foundation” – Guajome Park Academy –
Developed corridor drains to divert trash from their local wetlands.

Middle School Teams:

• New Jersey (Manahawkin) – “Get Mugged” - All Saints Regional Catholic – Persuaded their teachers and parents to use refillable mugs instead of plastic-lined paper cups.
• New Hampshire (Meredith) – “Weedbusters” – Inter-Lakes Middle Tier School – Rallied the community to reduce a non-native plant, milfoil, in the region’s lakes and ponds.
• Florida (Lakeland) – “Organic Waste” - Lawton Chiles Middle Academy – Launched a campaign to prevent grass clippings from entering their storm drains.
• Kentucky (Lexington) – “Purpledinowolficorns” – Tates Creek Middle School – Conducted fund raisers at their school to generate money to build a rain garden.
• Iowa (Charles City) – “The Batmen” - Charles City Middle School – Educated their city about bats which installed bat houses to help minimize the negative impact of local insects.
• Michigan (Byron Center) – “SASS – Students Advancing Scientific Studies” – Byron Center West School -- Reduced paper use at their school by 50 percent.
• California (Arboga) – “Threatening Stingerz” – Arboga Elementary School – Created awareness of the threat of mosquitoes and advised the community on how to reduce mosquito populations.
• California (Arboga) – “Team Aqua” - Arboga Elementary School – Presented ways to increase water conversation to the community.

This year’s Lexus Eco Challenge launched on Sept. 26, 2011, and concludes with the announcement of the first place and grand-prize-winning teams in spring 2012. Challenge #2, which asks students to address the environmental challenges for air and climate, is currently underway and has an entry deadline of Dec. 19, 2011.

In addition to the ongoing contest, the Lexus Eco Challenge also includes educational materials created and distributed by Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, to encourage teachers to integrate creative lesson plans about the environment into their classrooms.
For each challenge, the Web site (www.scholastic.com/lexus) has lesson plans and teacher instructions, including questions to help guide a discussion about the current challenge topic, facts about the topic, and guidelines for a specific classroom project.

Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

December to Remember: Big Red Bow Campaign

Help Lexus make this a December to Remember for a child in need. Lexus will pledge $5 to Toys for Tots for each red bow shared through our December to Remember tab. Up to $100,000 will be given through Facebook and Twitter. Hurry because the charity drive ends on January 3, 2012.

Key Lexus unit shifts to California - HQ may follow

TOKYO -- In a step toward possibly moving Lexus' head office out of Japan, the brand is transferring global marketing functions to a new decision-making center in California.

The shift begins in January with the creation of an office at Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc.'s campus in Torrance, Calif. It will handle creative marketing and some brand communications worldwide, said Karl Schlicht, head of Lexus' global product and marketing planning division.

The decision was made last summer. One person has been appointed to open the unit. The staff will expand to three in January.

Executive Vice President Yukitoshi Funo said the move is part of Lexus' attempt to remake itself as a "transnational" -- rather than Japanese -- brand.

Schlicht said Toyota Motor Corp. is weighing a global headquarters outside of Japan for its luxury brand. One option could be the United States, the country where the Lexus brand was launched in 1989. But no decisions have been made, he said.

"We're thinking about it," Schlicht said, adding that other global functions could be shifted to the California office as well.

"If they do a good job, their responsibilities could grow. We have a lot of people raising their hands for it."

In April, Infiniti, the luxury brand of Nissan Motor Co., will move its global headquarters to Hong Kong from Japan, to handle global marketing, sales and communications. Engineering and manufacturing will remain in Japan.

Lexus aims to bolster its brand image by strengthening its performance credentials and assuming a more international flavor.

As an example of the new mentality, one executive cited the decision not to serve sushi or offer chopsticks at a Lexus dinner reception held in advance of the Tokyo Motor Show. He said: "We don't want to be blatantly Japanese."

Courtesy of Automotive News

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Air Filters

What is it?

The air filter stops airborne contaminants from getting sucked into your car's engine. It's a paper filter that stops debris such as dust, leaves and wayward pelicans before they get inside the engine and do damage.

Should I do this service when it's recommended?

Yes.

Why do I have to do this?

Because, eventually, your air filter will get plugged up.

What happens if I don't do this?

If your air filter gets too dirty or clogged, your engine won't be able to suck enough air into the combustion chambers. The engine will then run rich (i.e., too much gas and not enough air). When this happens, your car will lose power and run roughly. Your Check Engine light also may come on.

If you really neglect the air filter for a long time, your car may stop running altogether. While permanent damage is unlikely, it is possible. If an air filter were sufficiently dirty and damaged, it could allow harmful, abrasive contaminants into the combustion chamber.

Courtesy of CarTalk

Statement from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Regarding 2011 J.D. Power and Associates' Sales Satisfaction Index

We are pleased with the improvement off all three of our brands in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) study. The Lexus brand improved its score over last year and ranked as the top premium nameplate. Both Toyota and Scion showed significant improvement and each placed higher in the rankings and above the industry average.

Credit must go to our dealer body for their investment in upgrading many of their facilities and their dedication to satisfying their customers.

Sales satisfaction is more important than ever and we will continue work with our dealers to find ways to increase the quality of the sales experience for all of our customers.

Courtesy of Toyota.com

Thank you to this satisfied customer for the 5-star review! We always appreciate your feedback.

"Excellent salesman. No pressure and very helpful. The dealership very clean. Everybody was very helpful." - Danno