Source: Motorpress /Lexus South Africa
LEXUS ACCELERATES ITS ELECTRIFIED FUTURE
Lexus is accelerating the development of vehicles that meet diversifying needs and lifestyles of customers around the world by confirming the introduction of 20 new vehicles by 2025 - including world premieres of two models later this year.
More than 10 new electrified vehicles will be introduced by 2025
Within this commitment, more than 10 new electrified vehicles will be introduced by 2025 as part of the luxury lifestyle brand's 'Lexus Electrified' vision.
By mid-decade, electric variants will be offered in all Lexus models and the sales ratio of electrified vehicles is forecast to exceed that of petrol- or diesel-only models.
The 'Lexus Electrified' vision adopts a portfolio approach to electrification, ensuring the specific needs of individual luxury customers are met.
This will include battery electric vehicle (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and other electrified models in line with the needs of each country and region around the world - true to the Lexus concept of offering the right products, in the right place, at the right time.
'Lexus Electrified' models will focus on efficient, sustainable yet exciting powertrain capabilities, technology that is instinctive and that leverages a natural driving experience with unique driving dynamics - all with a human-centred approach to design and finished with perfect Takumi craftsmanship.
In addition to strengthening and expanding the core Lexus sedan and SUV line-up, Lexus will pursue the possibility of rolling out models such as sports vehicles that continue to provide the fun of driving, a vehicle that redefines the concept of having a chauffeur, and new genres that have never before existed.
By 2050, Lexus aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the lifecycle of its entire model line-up - from the manufacturing of materials, parts and vehicles, to vehicle logistics, to the final disposal and recycling of older vehicles.
With a clear mission to achieve carbon neutrality, Lexus will reduce the environmental impact of material-manufacturing processes.
Lexus recognises that the automotive industry has entered a period of once-in-a-century transformation.
In addition to the growing social mission of carbon neutrality and compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, customers' lifestyles and values are changing and diversifying at a speed not seen before.
Lexus will continue to respond swiftly and with careful consideration to the changing times and needs of our customers, and will strive to transform itself into a brand that exceeds customer expectations.
In March 2024, to accelerate the planning and development of diverse and attractive products that are close to its customers, Lexus is scheduled to open a new business and technical centre designed to push boundaries and renew innovation (see below).
It is this unyielding spirit of innovation and support from buyers around the world that has ensured Lexus continues to evolve as a luxury lifestyle brand, delivering amazing product and brand experiences with new technologies since 1989.
Since the global launch of the RX 400h in 2005 - the world's first luxury electrified model - Lexus customers purchased nearly two-million electrified vehicles by the end of 2020.
Cumulative Lexus hybrid sales in Australia reached 30,000 vehicles sold by the end of 2020 - in a year that 33 per cent of Lexus customers selected a Lexus hybrid, four percentage points higher than 2019 and confirming that luxury customers are continuing to embrace Lexus models that reduce emissions and increase enjoyment.
The first Lexus BEV, the UX 300e, will launch in Australia in November 2021 as the first model in the 'Lexus Electrified' vision and the most powerful Lexus luxury compact SUV - all complemented by 'Lexus solutions' to BEV ownership as part of the renowned Lexus Encore owner benefits program.
Koji Sato, President and Chief Branding Officer, Lexus International:
"I would like to express my heartfelt respect to all the people around the world who are working so hard in the face of various difficulties.
"While fulfilling our social mission of realising a carbon-neutral society, we will continue to provide the fun and joy that cars bring, and we will contribute to the happiness and smiles of our customers and everyone involved with Lexus.
"Starting with two new models to be released this year, we will continue to develop innovative products that will add colour to the diversifying lifestyles of our customers. We hope you will look forward to the future of Lexus with its strong will to create the future toward the realisation of a hopeful mobility society."
About the Shimoyama Technical Centre
In March 2024, Lexus will open a new business and technical centre in Shimoyama, Japan. The investment by Lexus in the Shimoyama Technical Centre is designed to push car manufacturing beyond existing boundaries.
Members involved in Lexus-brand development, design, production technology, and planning will unite in creating the next-generation of vehicles where the environment will be one for open collaboration that encourages co-creation with external partners.
The first of three test courses at the Shimoyama Technical Centre was opened in 2019 and utilised for the development of the new Lexus IS - a 5.3-kilometre country road course that uses the natural terrain of Shimoyama to create vigorous driving, bespoke to Lexus vehicle evaluations, with numerous curves of different radii and banking over a total elevation change of 75 metres.
An expansion with around 10 different test courses are now under construction including a high-speed evaluation loop and a test course that recreates specific road surfaces from around the world.
The cornerstone of new vehicle development will be a new three-story Lexus Building.
The first floor emulates the look and feel of a pit at the Nürburgring, where members from all functions gather for each project with a strong will to promote agile development by integrating real car manufacturing on site with cutting-edge digital equipment.
The second floor will house an office area with an open layout for various work functions to improve collaboration and maximise the creativity of each individual. To accelerate car-centred development, all members will be able to move freely between floors as needed and utilise telework, according to their working style at any given time.
The design area on the third floor will prominently feature clay design models, and along with further enhancements to the environment to maximise creativity, will ensure that designers, production engineers, aerodynamicists and other members of the experimental department can closely collaborate and work on new ideas together at the very centre of Lexus design development.
The open environments at the Shimoyama Technical Centre will also foster co-creation with suppliers and business partners to support the ongoing evolution of the brand in line with our customers' lives. The Messe Building will be a place for close collaboration and in addition to a multi-purpose hall, will include an additional garage for Lexus business partners to view, measure, work with, and directly interact with vehicles.
The Shimoyama Technical Centre is built under the philosophy of "technical centre in harmony with nature and local communities". With regard to coexistence with the local community, Lexus will value the ties built with the local people and listen to their opinions as we proceed with the construction.
In terms of environmental conservation, Lexus is striving to properly maintain and manage the natural environment, with nearly 70 percent of the total site area consisting of preserved topography and original plants and wildlife.
Lexus is working to support the regeneration and conservation of the nearby forests and rice fields, also referred to as satoyama (neighbouring ecosystems linked closely to the nearby human life), restoring dry and degraded rice paddies into wetland biotopes - and installing year-round water channels in the surrounding valley paddies to provide refuge for the aquatic eco-system.
In addition, tunnels and bridges have been engineered to maintain the natural topography as much as possible, and to provide habitats and migration routes for animals and plant growth.
By mid-decade, electric variants will be offered in all Lexus models and the sales ratio of electrified vehicles is forecast to exceed that of petrol- or diesel-only models.
The 'Lexus Electrified' vision adopts a portfolio approach to electrification, ensuring the specific needs of individual luxury customers are met.
This will include battery electric vehicle (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and other electrified models in line with the needs of each country and region around the world - true to the Lexus concept of offering the right products, in the right place, at the right time.
'Lexus Electrified' models will focus on efficient, sustainable yet exciting powertrain capabilities, technology that is instinctive and that leverages a natural driving experience with unique driving dynamics - all with a human-centred approach to design and finished with perfect Takumi craftsmanship.
In addition to strengthening and expanding the core Lexus sedan and SUV line-up, Lexus will pursue the possibility of rolling out models such as sports vehicles that continue to provide the fun of driving, a vehicle that redefines the concept of having a chauffeur, and new genres that have never before existed.
By 2050, Lexus aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the lifecycle of its entire model line-up - from the manufacturing of materials, parts and vehicles, to vehicle logistics, to the final disposal and recycling of older vehicles.
With a clear mission to achieve carbon neutrality, Lexus will reduce the environmental impact of material-manufacturing processes.
Lexus recognises that the automotive industry has entered a period of once-in-a-century transformation.
In addition to the growing social mission of carbon neutrality and compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, customers' lifestyles and values are changing and diversifying at a speed not seen before.
Lexus will continue to respond swiftly and with careful consideration to the changing times and needs of our customers, and will strive to transform itself into a brand that exceeds customer expectations.
In March 2024, to accelerate the planning and development of diverse and attractive products that are close to its customers, Lexus is scheduled to open a new business and technical centre designed to push boundaries and renew innovation (see below).
It is this unyielding spirit of innovation and support from buyers around the world that has ensured Lexus continues to evolve as a luxury lifestyle brand, delivering amazing product and brand experiences with new technologies since 1989.
Since the global launch of the RX 400h in 2005 - the world's first luxury electrified model - Lexus customers purchased nearly two-million electrified vehicles by the end of 2020.
Cumulative Lexus hybrid sales in Australia reached 30,000 vehicles sold by the end of 2020 - in a year that 33 per cent of Lexus customers selected a Lexus hybrid, four percentage points higher than 2019 and confirming that luxury customers are continuing to embrace Lexus models that reduce emissions and increase enjoyment.
The first Lexus BEV, the UX 300e, will launch in Australia in November 2021 as the first model in the 'Lexus Electrified' vision and the most powerful Lexus luxury compact SUV - all complemented by 'Lexus solutions' to BEV ownership as part of the renowned Lexus Encore owner benefits program.
Koji Sato, President and Chief Branding Officer, Lexus International:
"I would like to express my heartfelt respect to all the people around the world who are working so hard in the face of various difficulties.
"While fulfilling our social mission of realising a carbon-neutral society, we will continue to provide the fun and joy that cars bring, and we will contribute to the happiness and smiles of our customers and everyone involved with Lexus.
"Starting with two new models to be released this year, we will continue to develop innovative products that will add colour to the diversifying lifestyles of our customers. We hope you will look forward to the future of Lexus with its strong will to create the future toward the realisation of a hopeful mobility society."
About the Shimoyama Technical Centre
In March 2024, Lexus will open a new business and technical centre in Shimoyama, Japan. The investment by Lexus in the Shimoyama Technical Centre is designed to push car manufacturing beyond existing boundaries.
Members involved in Lexus-brand development, design, production technology, and planning will unite in creating the next-generation of vehicles where the environment will be one for open collaboration that encourages co-creation with external partners.
The first of three test courses at the Shimoyama Technical Centre was opened in 2019 and utilised for the development of the new Lexus IS - a 5.3-kilometre country road course that uses the natural terrain of Shimoyama to create vigorous driving, bespoke to Lexus vehicle evaluations, with numerous curves of different radii and banking over a total elevation change of 75 metres.
An expansion with around 10 different test courses are now under construction including a high-speed evaluation loop and a test course that recreates specific road surfaces from around the world.
The cornerstone of new vehicle development will be a new three-story Lexus Building.
The first floor emulates the look and feel of a pit at the Nürburgring, where members from all functions gather for each project with a strong will to promote agile development by integrating real car manufacturing on site with cutting-edge digital equipment.
The second floor will house an office area with an open layout for various work functions to improve collaboration and maximise the creativity of each individual. To accelerate car-centred development, all members will be able to move freely between floors as needed and utilise telework, according to their working style at any given time.
The design area on the third floor will prominently feature clay design models, and along with further enhancements to the environment to maximise creativity, will ensure that designers, production engineers, aerodynamicists and other members of the experimental department can closely collaborate and work on new ideas together at the very centre of Lexus design development.
The open environments at the Shimoyama Technical Centre will also foster co-creation with suppliers and business partners to support the ongoing evolution of the brand in line with our customers' lives. The Messe Building will be a place for close collaboration and in addition to a multi-purpose hall, will include an additional garage for Lexus business partners to view, measure, work with, and directly interact with vehicles.
The Shimoyama Technical Centre is built under the philosophy of "technical centre in harmony with nature and local communities". With regard to coexistence with the local community, Lexus will value the ties built with the local people and listen to their opinions as we proceed with the construction.
In terms of environmental conservation, Lexus is striving to properly maintain and manage the natural environment, with nearly 70 percent of the total site area consisting of preserved topography and original plants and wildlife.
Lexus is working to support the regeneration and conservation of the nearby forests and rice fields, also referred to as satoyama (neighbouring ecosystems linked closely to the nearby human life), restoring dry and degraded rice paddies into wetland biotopes - and installing year-round water channels in the surrounding valley paddies to provide refuge for the aquatic eco-system.
In addition, tunnels and bridges have been engineered to maintain the natural topography as much as possible, and to provide habitats and migration routes for animals and plant growth.
As part of the luxury lifestyle brand's 'Lexus Electrified' vision.
The 'Lexus Electrified' vision adopts a portfolio approach to electrification