NEWS

LEXUS is to reconfigure its UK dealer network – and is ensuring every retailer is a part of the changes. General manager Ewan Shepherd says the current retail network needs overhauling. That’s because it is geared up to sell far more cars than it actually does. This is hitting retailer profitability. ‘Our network is built [...]

LEXUS’ new BMW 1 Series hybrid rival is expected to emit just 90g/km of CO2 when it hits markets in 2011! General manager Ewan Shepherd revealed the LF-Ch’s headline-grabbing target figure to Car Dealer Magazine. Under current legislation, this will make it eligible for FREE road tax. He also expects it to be priced in [...]

LEXUS dealers, stand by to hit the big time! By the looks of this cracking concept, it’s not far off… The firm has pulled the covers off its smallest, cheapest model yet – the LF-Ch five-door hatchback. It’s a model that’s taking on the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series head-on, and is doing so [...]

INFINITI finally opens for business in the UK on 12 September, with a landmark event at the Reading ‘Centre’. It’s going all-out to shake up the car dealer world in the UK, too. Headed by MD Paul Atkinson, the centre is the product of a partnership with Rymco UK. This is a car retailer that’s [...]

LEXUS has unveiled the first official image of its posh Audi A3-rivalling five-door hatch concept. The LF-Ch concept will be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in a few weeks. That’s when we’ll get more details of the BMW 1 Series alternative, which is expected to hit dealer showrooms in 2010. Conventional engines are expected [...]

LEXUS has registered a three-car model range for the new IF-Ch premium hatchback, Car Dealer can reveal. The firm looks set to sell three variants, according to trademark information from the US: •    CT200h •    CT300h •    CT400h These provide no clues as to the engines – other than that they all look to be [...]

WHICH? Car’s annual dealer satisfaction survey has rated Lexus top of the class for the 5th year running. The consumer body says Lexus dealers are virtually untouchable, both in sales and servicing. Indeed, one customer, it reports, said ‘even the coffee was great’. But equally praised was Daihatsu in second place; showing, said Which? Car, [...]

LEXUS will show a concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show which points to a future Audi A3 compact hatch rival. The three-door hatchback has been revealed in sketch form, prior to unveiling at the Motor Show next month. Lexus says the new car is technically innovative; will this mean it becomes the first posh hybrid [...]

TOYOTA GB has appointed Mark Roden as its new head of fleet and vehicle remarketing for both Toyota and Lexus. The 45 year old has been given the job of helping Toyota GB recover in a very tough marketplace. Already, he has decided a green approach will help take the company forward. He is going [...]

SCRAPPAGE has had ‘virtually no effect’ on the showroom sales of one well-known car brand in the UK. Lexus director Belinda Poole says that there have been some orders under the scrap scheme, ‘but they’re very, very limited.’ And that’s just what she expected! ‘We’re a premium level maker,’ she explained. ‘A and B segments [...]

INFINITI has confirmed its second model for the brand’s launch in September – the EX SUV. Prices start at £35,200 for the Lexus RX-sized crossover model. It will be offered in two guises – the standard EX37, or the posh (and £1300 dearer) EX37 GT. Both use the same 320bhp 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine. This [...]

LEXUS has topped the latest J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey – for the 9th year running! And it was a double celebration at Toyota, as the firm’s Japanese volume counterpart came in second. The Lexus-Toyota 1-2 was down to the owner-pleasing talents of the Lexus RX and Toyota Prius. What’s more, of the Lexus RX’s [...]