“This is a big year for Lexus as we introduce nine new or updated models, and the Super Bowl provides us with an equally big opportunity to reach a highly engaged audience of 50 million people,” said Brian Smith, Lexus vice president of marketing. “The star of our commercial is the all-new 2013 GS which launches in February and kicks off a pivotal era for the Lexus brand. The spot also will convey that even more products are waiting in the wings and are anxious to hit the road.”

The :30 second commercial is scheduled to run during the first half of Super Bowl XLVI. A :15 second sneak-peek of the commercial can be seen today on Lexus social media channels, including Facebook.com/Lexus and YouTube.com/Lexus. The ads were created by Attik, a Lexus roster agency, while the overall GS launch advertising is headed by Lexus’ agency of record, Team One.

For Facebook users, the process is simple: just visit the “December to Remember” tab on Lexus’Facebook page. There, you’ll see a big red bow that you can share on your own Facebook wall. Click the button to post it, and – bing! – Lexus contributes $5 to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

If you’re a Twitter user, it’s even easier: send out a tweet with the hashtag #lexusbigredbow, and you’re done.

The promotion runs through January 3, 2012, so you have the opportunity to participate many times over the next few weeks. Lexus will contribute up to $100,000 to the charity, which has the stated goal of delivering new toys to needy children during the Christmas season, as well as “a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens”.

For more information about the “December to Remember” sales event, visit Lexus.com.

There was a time when Lexus was the top-selling luxury car brand in North America. In fact, it held onto that crown for nearly a decade.

However, after the unfavorable publicity relating to allegations of unintended acceleration and then a production shortage due to the tsunami in Japan, Lexus lost the top spot in sales for luxury cars.

For 2012, Lexus hopes to improve its sales figures, however the goal is not to be the biggest luxury brand anymore.

US Lexus Division Vice-President and General Manager Mark Templin said: “We never were about being the biggest – it just happened for all the right reasons.” He added that Lexus lost a lot of customers because they didn’t have anything to sell them, pointing at the shortage the brand dealt with due to the tsunami.

However, being the biggest is not their main concern said Templin, saying that Lexus would rather be number one at customer experience, quality, value and profitability.

With Lexus looking to introduce 10 new or refreshed models over the next few years, Templin says the brand will see a growth in sales due to their new models, however while some luxury brands are looking to get into A and B segment cars, Lexus will not be doing that to maintain its luxury brand image.

In the first 9-months of this year, Lexus sales in America are down 17%, having shifted 135,647 vehicles until the end of September.

Will 2012 prove to be a better year as predicted by Lexus’ senior management? Only time will tell.

[Source: Detroit News]

The hybrid LS 600h L Landaulet, featuring a one-piece transparent roof, was given to the couple. Despite only being used once, the Landaulet required more than 2,000 artisan-hours and a phalanx of engineering talent to create.

On the mechanical side,  the Landaulet is identical to the standard-issue LS 600h, with a 5.0 liter gasoline V-8 driving all four wheels with the assistance of an electric motor. The car is capable of running on battery power alone, if the car is going a low speed. Lexus claimed this matched “…well with His Serene Highness’ keen interest in promoting sustainable development and environmental protection.”

So what are the chances of you being able to get a hold of one? Well, Prince Harry is still available, right?

The contest consists of 3 challenges. The first, Land/Water, will run from 9/26/2011 to 10/31/2011.

The 2nd challenge, Air/Climate, will be from 11/07/2001 to 12/19/2011.

The 3rd and Final Challenge will be from 1/09/2012 to 2/20/2012.

Each challenge will have questions that are required to be answered as a part of the Action Plan Powerpoint. These are split up into different parts, asking how you plan on/complete implenting change.

Of course, prizes. 16 winning teams will each win $10,000, and will be distributed a certain way as well. Keep in mind, this is seperate for each challenge. As for the Final Challenge, 2 grand prize teams will win $30,000 each, and the 8 first place teams will each win $15,000.

For more details visit http://www.scholastic.com/lexus/. Let the games begin!

Lexus captured four segment awards in this year’s study, more than any other premium brand. These awards include the Lexus ES 350 for Entry Premium car; the Lexus GS for Midsize Premium Car; the Lexus GX 460 for Midsize Premium Crossover/SUV; and the Lexus LS 460 for Large Premium Car. The Lexus GS and GX 460 rank highest in their respective segments for a third consecutive year. The Lexus LS earned the distinction of highest-performing model in the industry for a second consecutive year with fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 54 PP100.

The 2011 Lexus Ct 200h is Lexus’ 5th hybrid vehicle. In this economy, we’re glad to be able to get a little more. Powered by a 98hp 1.8 liter engine, the electric motor combined with the petrol engine can definitely output a maximum 134 horsepower, making it comparable to the output of an aberage 2.0 liter engine.

Yes, you heard right. A green-friendly car, with power that won’t leave you disappointed.

Our favorite feature? SmartAccess

Back in 2006 when he first purchased it, drifting was still in the very early stages in Ukraine. As the months passed, Lyonya got involved in the underground drifting scene more and more. He tells us that there are currently several awesome drifters in Ukraine but majority of their cars look plain and ugly, which motivated him to do something about his Altezza. This right here is where it stands now. Custom Widebody that added about 8cm’s, Elixir aero Altezza SXE10 body kit, custom hood and APR Front bumper canards were added to the outside for that mean look, and the tail lights were repainted. While the tails may not be everyone’s cup of tea, they definitely separate this Altezza from others.

The suspension was completely redone and the car is now sitting just about an inch off the ground at it’s lowest point. Cusco front and rear bars, along with TRD Rear Subframe brace keep things in place and the rare and aggressive set of SSR Koenig Wheels with that massive lip break necks on daily basis. You’ll have to scroll on the very bottom of the page to see the exact specs, but as far as we know it’s one of the most if not the most aggressive setups on the older IS/Altezzas out there! Stunning fitment aside, there is something else that this car has to offer that got us excited even more! You can find out what that is by clicking the Read More button below.

What you’re looking at is a TODA 2.2 stroker kit with Garret GT2871 mounted onto the standard 3S-GE motor. Lyonya has considered the 2JZ-GTE swap, but at the end chose to go with the more sophisticated 3S-GE, which he is pretty happy with might we add. Make sure you check out the full list of modifications under that mean hood below. We won’t get into details but Lyonya tells us that next year will be epic. Let’s just that Soarer JZZ30 engine is something he is strongly considering on doing as early as this upcoming spring. Sounds to us like we’ll have yet another feature again!

The interior was also completely gutted and redone. It now features a Weld-in Roll Cage, MOMO steering wheel and steering wheel hub and SABELT GT1 seats with the matching SABELT TOP FORMULA 6 seat belts. While Vadim wasn’t able to provide us with any interior pictures, we’ve dug up this older picture of it for you.

Lastly, we had to ask Lyonya about some of the future plans for the car. He tells us that they are all mostly smaller things, because most of the work has already been done. The only thing he did say he wanted to change up was the color of the wheels. There is a long cold winter ahead for Ukraine, and we just have a feeling that some new ideas will come to his head on those dark, cold nights. Next year however, he plans to compete in the Ukrainian Drifting Championship, but get this, he says that he is not interested in any titles or awards, strictly to enjoy himself and put smiles on peoples faces.