Lexus has praised its retail network for helping it achieve Gold status in the latest JD Power customer satisfaction survey, published this week. Parent brand Toyota slipped out of the top three to number four.
Lexus has the highest approval ratings in the latest annual Sewells Fleet Operators Attitude Survey - for the third year running, both in terms of UK fleet managers' relationship with the national network of centres and with the manufacturer itself.
Lexus GB has restructured its marketing, operations management and aftermarket functions.
Lexus is readying its dealer network for a major new product offensive that includes the launch of diesel and hybrid powered vehicles.
Lexus has set itself a target of achieving 60,000 European sales by the end of the decade – an ambitious target compared to current targeted sales of 20,000, half of which are accounted for by the UK market.
Business drivers whose companies obtain their Lexus cars on lease will in future be able to participate in the same customer loyalty programmes as retail customers – if the lessor, like Leasedrive Ltd., joins the new Lexus Leasing Charter programme.
The Aberdeen Press and Journal reports that the Glenvarigill group has ceded its SEAT franchises in Perth and Aberdeen to Town and County Motors. In Aberdeen, Town and County will house SEAT cars alongside its Lexus franchise, and in Perth, alongside Subaru/Isuzu and Daihatsu.
Inchcape Retail has acquired Toyota in Aylesbury.
The relationship between Lexus and its UK network of centres is stronger, more effective and more rewarding than for any other manufacturer, says the company, quoting the results of the latest Dealer Attitude Survey by the National Franchised Dealers Association.
Lexus plans to inject more excitement into its models as part of a major product renewal programme over the next four years.
Lexus has announced plans for a new hybrid engine which will add performance to the technology's noted economy. The system will be offered in the new Lexus RX four-wheel drive model and will arrive on the North American market in about two years.
Toyota opens its new £3m dealer training centre at the Nottingham Trent University today. The purpose-built centre on a 1.2-acre site at the university's Clifton Campus will be used to deliver Toyota and Lexus dealers with management, operational, and technical training.
Lexus has topped the charts for quality, reliability and customer care in a new survey.
Lexus has appointed former head of UK operations Stuart McCullough to drive the carmaker's growth in Europe. McCullough, previously Lexus GB director, took up his new role as Lexus director, Europe, on Monday.
The charismatic Alfa 156 is a stylish alternative to the Audi A4, BMW 3-series and Lexus IS200. A great deal less expensive, too. A 99S 1.8 TS with 42,000 miles is £8,500 privately.
Another template design Lexus dealership has officially opened in West London. Lexus Twickenham is the Toyota owned premium brand's 31st UK solus outlet and takes the Japanese importer one step closer to its goal of opening 48 new sites by the middle of 2003.
Toyota GB has revealed an ambition to double its annual sales volume to more than 200,000 a year in the UK by 2010. The total includes Lexus and Toyota light commercials.
Simon Frith, Lexus GB's general manager of operations, is to leave the company to join the RRG dealer group as operations director, based at Salford Quays.
Lexus is urging leasing companies to dispose of end-of-contract vehicles at closed electronic auctions to protect residual values.
Three years into the task of forming a stand-alone network that will represent Toyota's uppercrust brand, the director of Lexus GB admits: “We haven't achieved everything we set out to achieve.”
