Highlights from live coverage of SEMA 2012

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Employee Spotlight - George

Lexus of Maplewood is proud to recognize Georgein our October Employee Spotlight.

George has worked at Lexus of Maplewood for 3 ½ years but has over 30 years in the automotive industry. He worked at a number of different dealerships throughout his Sales career and to name a few; he started at Viking Chevrolet, spent 20 years at Win Stephens Buick | Jeep and 7 years at Borton Volvo. When he was hired at Lexus of Maplewood, George was continuing his career in Sales, but after a short amount of time, he was hired as a Finance Manager in the Financial Services Department. As a Finance Manager, George really enjoys working with the customers. His part of the vehicle buying process is very rewarding because the customers are always excited about completing the final paperwork so they can drive away in their new Lexus. Lexus of Maplewood understands that buying a new vehicle is a big life event. George is fantastic at treating every customer special so they have a very positive experience.

Outside of work George spends time with his wife Jan, his daughter Elizabeth and his 8 year old grandson Lucas. George and Jan are Twins fans and recently took a road trip to Vegas and San Diego. When they drove to San Diego they were able to see the Twins play the Padres. Though the trip home was a 39 hour drive, George and Jan really enjoy taking road trips and will continue to plan future trips around Twins games. Right now, most of their road trips are to Annedale where they have a cabin and his family spends time taking in the Minnesota four seasons by snowmobiling, boating, hiking and fishing.

George also has spent a lot of time on the road, not driving, but running or roller blading. He has completed 5 marathons and 2 roller blade marathons. The marathons were in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Duluth. George actually roller bladed in the Metrodome for one of the roller blade marathons he completed. Getting ready for a marathon is a lot of work but he might have one or two more marathons in his future.

Thank you George for all your hard work and dedication to Lexus of Maplewood.

The Lexus CT Hybrid Virtual Tour: Unrestrained. Unexpected.

Introducing the most fuel-efficient luxury car available, the radically new 42-MPG rated Lexus CT Hybrid. With its multiple drive modes for multiple personalities, sporty styling, and dynamic, responsive handling, it is a dramatic testament to the power of unconfined thinking.

It's unlike any hybrid you know.

Be Sure To Take Advantage Of Our Savings!

Print off this coupon to receive our special on a full service oil change and tire rotation.

Doing Our Best Makes Us Feel The Best. More Positive Feedback!

"The service is excellent, all of the staff are courteous and knowledgable! Clean facility and immediate help when you go inside, it's also nice that they have the parts in stock that you are looking for!"

- Mike

"Lexus has been so wonderful to work with. They made purchasing my new Lexus as easy as can be! Also, their service department is wonderful!"

- Pamela

Lexus brings a Magazine to Life with CinePrint™

Watch a clip of the innovative new CinePrint™ technique Lexus has created to merge print and digital. Inspired by the stunning technology of the 2013 ES.

We Are Happy To Have Customers Like You!

"I ve been dealing with Lexus of Maplewood ever since I purchased an ES300 12 years ago. Currently my wife and I both drive RX350 s. I can t say enough good things about this dealership. They are courteous, timely, friendly, and efficient. I service both cars with them and don t even ever recall having anything but normal maintenance. In fact, the waiting area is so comfortable, my wife and I both like to go and wait for the servicing. It is very comfortable knowing I work with a dealership I can trust and that takes good care of my transportation needs. Thanks Lexus of Maplewood!"

- Robert

This Dedication From Customers Is Amazing!

"We have purchesed/leased 4 vehicles from this dealership working with Matt and have nothing but praise for Matt and the dealership. He worked with us on all the vehicles and made sure that we got exactly what we wanted. The whole experience from purchasing to service is a pleasant one. The service department is great as well. The hospitality at this dealership makes purchasing a car a pleasant experience - no pressure, only trying to please the customer. I would always recommend Lexus of Maplewood to anyone and have sent several coworkers to this dealership and they have said the same."

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: How Lexus Preemptively Keeps You Safe

Years ago, whenever I went on long fishing trips with my friend Chris, we had a rule for the drive home—nobody gets to sleep. At the end of a long day, we wanted all eyes scanning the road for hazards. Sure enough, one day I spotted a big deer springing onto the highway, and my warning cry gave Chris, at the wheel, the extra split second he needed to avoid it.

Close call.

The Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS) with Collision Avoidance Assist^[1], available with the new 2013 LS, is kind of like having an alert buddy with you—except of course, this buddy is equipped with super-sophisticated things like millimeter radar and near-infrared rays.

In short, it’s one of the most advanced automotive safety systems available.

We’ve talked about Lexus Pre-Collision and Advanced Pre-Collision systems before, available in the previous generation LS and other models. But this latest Advanced Pre-Collision System with Collision Avoidance Assist is designed to do some cool new stuff.

But before we get into that, here’s a quick APCS primer.

SCANS AND PREPARES

In a nutshell, when activated, APCS constantly scans for hazards ahead while the vehicle is in motion. It does this using milliwave radar, which is emitted from behind the Lexus badge, plus a stereo camera that’s integrated into the rear-view mirror.

The system scans beyond the range of the low-beam headlights, meaning the APCS-equipped Lexus models have the potential to recognize a hazard at night before a fully alert driver can see it.

And while APCS is scanning the road ahead, another system, the optional Driver Attention Monitor, is monitoring the direction the driver is facing to confirm that you’re facing forward. (New to the 2013 LS, the Driver Attention Monitor also monitors your eyelids.)

In the event of a hazard in your path, a whole lot of different things happen very fast. Right away, the APCS computer calculates the LS’s speed and closing ratio. Meanwhile, the Driver Attention Monitor is calculating the driver’s status: Are your eyes fully open? Have you turned to face your buddy to reemphasize the size of that huge rainbow trout you caught earlier?

In both situations, the system will flash a warning light and sound an alarm; if that doesn't get your attention, the Collision Avoidance System is designed to actually apply the brakes.

STOPS THE CAR (FROM SPEEDS OF UP TO 23 MPH)

The purpose of applying the brakes is two-fold: to get the driver’s attention so that further evasive action can hopefully be taken, and also to help mitigate the effects of a potential collision. As part of its capabilities, this newly available APCS feature is designed to bring the 2013 LS to a complete stop at speeds below 24 miles per hour.

Another enhancement for the 2013 LS is that the system not only recognizes other vehicles but pedestrians as well, thanks to two stereo cameras facing outward. It’s also noteworthy that the system works day or night—many similar systems in non-Lexus vehicles are designed only for daytime operation.

UNAVOIDABLE COLLISIONS

So about those worst-case scenarios, where the vehicle is really, really coming up on something, and a collision is unavoidable?

Here, the passive safety features of the Advanced Pre-Collision System come into play. To help give the driver an added advantage, APCS pressurizes the Brake Assist, so that once the driver applies the brake, it will deliver extra braking power.

Also, to help protect the driver and front passenger, when APCS detects that an unavoidable frontal collision is imminent, it retracts the front seatbelts. On vehicles equipped with Adaptive Variable Suspension or Air Suspension, it also stiffens the front suspension to help prevent a nose dive from sudden braking, which in turn helps the driver keep control.

 

Courtesy of Lexus

We Love Hearing This!

"In the many thousands of miles I have traveled in Australia and North America I have NEVER had better service than I received at Maplewood.What a credit to the Lexus brand. The 'pursuit of perfection' was reached when we had our Lexus serviced here."

Lucky Lexus Fan Unleashes the LFA

One man. One racetrack. 552 horses. Get a taste of the best day of Unleash the LFA winner, Mark Clemons', life. http://unleashthelfa.com.

The 2013 Lexus ES: A Story Behind Every Surface

Lexus Infotainment Center to Get Upgrade Next Year?

Senior brand manager for Lexus Europe, Leonardo Carluccio, has shared details with AutomotiveIT about the future of infotainment in Lexus vehicles:

Carluccio said Lexus will start offering upgraded infotainment in Europe in June, 2013. The system, which will rely on smartphones that connect through the Mirrorlink standard, will feature a bigger screen, improved connectivity and various connected services, including Google searching and various other Apps.

All Lexus models will have monitors that are at least 7 inches in diameter, Carluccio said.

A major upgrade will come in 2015, when new Lexus models will feature a totally new infotainment system with a range of new connected features and improved flexibility to add various features if and when desired.

While this new system may apply to European vehicles only, it’s more likely to be offered worldwide — Mirrorlink is a new global standard that creates a deep integration between smartphones and the in-car system.

 

Here’s a quick video demonstration:

There is one major drawback to the Mirrorlink standard — at this time, it does not work with the Apple iPhone. However, Apple has announced a new automotive iPhone initiative, and Toyota/Lexus was named as one of the nine initial automakers to have access to the technology (the Mercedes A-Class is the first known vehicle to implement the new system).

While there’s more questions than answers at this point, the June 2013 introduction suggests this upgraded infotainment system may debut with the next-generation IS — meaning we could see more about this new technology as early as the Detroit autoshow in January.

Courtesy of Lexus Enthusiast

Our Be Pink event is this month!

Lexus of Maplewood is proud to support the fight against breast cancer. Be Pink this October and get involved! We are partnering with the Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center, CBS TV and WCCO to encourage Minnesota to promote the importance of early detection and support education, outreach and annual mammogram screenings in our community.

Lexus of Maplewood is hosting a BE PINK Celebration at the dealership. Here are the details.
WHEN: Thursday. October 25th, 2012
WHERE: Lexus of Maplewood Showroom

WHAT: Join us for a night of shopping, spa treatments, prizes and more…enjoy appetizers and beverages…meet a WCCO personality and learn about BE PINK and Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center’s fight against breast cancer. Purchase a $20 raffle ticket at the event and be entered to win a special painting for BE PINK by Teri Bennett. All the proceeds will be donated to the Park Nicollet Jane Brattain Breast Center.

RSVP: By October 19th to reserve your spot and a special gift from Lexus. Call 651.483.6111 or email BePink@lexusofmaplewood.com with you and your guests’ names.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Changing Headlights and Taillights

<p>How to change your headlights and taillights from DriverSide on Vimeo.</p>

 

It's important to know how to change your headlights and taillights now that it's getting darker longer.

A first time Lexus buyer shares her experience

"Love my new Lexus! Salesperson, John , was very helpful, very knowledgeable and all around great to work with. Lexus of Maplewood has the best customer service I've ever experienced. No more Cadillacs for me."

- Kathi