Lexus, Choice of USGA and Kylie Minogue

What do countless Hollywood Hotties, the United States Golf Association and an Australian superstar all have in common?

Lexus is their brand of choice!

Photo of the 2008 Lexus-USGA partnership. Photo via Lexus Newsroom.

Lexus Monterey already told you about Lexus has been dubbed the brand of ‘Hollwood Hotties‘, but there are now more big-names sitting in the drivers seat of a Lexus.

The United States Golf Association just renewed their contract with Lexus, once again making Lexus the exclusive automotive partner of the USGA and the official car of the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Senior Open and the U.S. Amateur.

Want to know all the perks the athletes get because of the continued partnership? Check out the list of courtesy vehicles and Lexus-USGA events here.

David Nordstrom, vice president of marketing for Lexus said, “Golf is something that our customers are passionate about, and the USGA shares our philosophy of supporting our customers’ passions.”

Kylie Minogue and the new Lexus CT 200h. Photo via Lexus UK.

But it’s not just golfers who love Lexus. Singer, actor, dancer, model, and designer, Kylie Minogue, is also promoting Lexus. She is the newest face for the Lexus CT 200h, according to Lexus UK.

Said Minogue, “I am absolutely delighted to be working with Lexus on the launch of their new full hybrid CT 200h. I’ve been lucky enough to have a preview of the car which is both stylish and elegant and will definitely create a Quiet Revolution”.

Want to get your hands on a car with such star-power attracting qualities? Visit us at Lexus Monterey!

Lexus: Showing the Hard Way Pays Off

How much time and innovation do you think it takes to suspend not one, not two, not even three cars (we are counting five!) from a crane and then park a mint-condition sports car underneath?

Well, that’s exactly what Lexus did in their latest commercial. For the commercial, “The Chain,” instead of consulting special-effects artists, Lexus marketers decided to consult some engineers to show off the strength of the chassis of Lexus vehicles.

“It isn’t enough to just say that we pursue perfection, we want to demonstrate the great lengths we go to in our pursuit,” states Dave Nordstrom, vice president of marketing for Lexus. “The new broadcast spot allows us to focus on the foundation of our vehicles, the chassis, and show its almost unbelievable strength. In fact, we feared that it would be so unbelievable, we invited a physicist and structural engineer to witness the shoot, to prove that it did, in fact, occur without the use of special effects or computer generated-imagery.”

What’s more convincing than a chain of five Lexus vehicles–the LS, RX, GS, ES and IS– weighing 21,000 pounds, hanging from end to end from a giant crane, and parking the $375,000 LFA directly underneath? That’s hard to beat.

See the video for yourself:

So, by doing things the hard way, Lexus shows drivers just how far they are willing to go to pursue perfection. By taking designs to the extreme, Lexus can better serve your everyday needs. Beautiful, safe, and dependable– all ingredients for Lexus perfection.

But it doesn’t stop with the “Chain.” Lexus produced 14 short videos taking you behind the scenes of the TV-ad and shows off how other ways of doing things “the hard way” pays off. Want to see the developers take a blow-torch to the leather interior of a Lexus to test its heat capacity? Yes, the video is here:

And if you want to test out a perfected Lexus for yourself, visit us at Lexus Monterey.

 

Lexus Supports Environmental Action through Scholarships

The first round of winners have been announced in this year’s Eco School Challenge.

And three schools in California were on the list of the sixteen winning teams!

Over the whole year, Lexus will be rewarding $500,000 in grants and scholarships to student teams that show their commitment to the planet. The first round of winners developed programs that protect land and water. Winning action plans will be featured on the Web to inspire other students and their communities.

“It’s great to see so many different ways the students have delved into their projects,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager.  “This goes to show that there is a never-ending supply of environmental issues and these students are finding many unique and exceptional ways to take action and improve our environment.”

Each team won $10,000 in scholarships and grants for their students, teachers and school. All winners from all rounds will be invited to participate in the Final Challenge for a chance to win even more scholarship money.

Lexus Eco Challenge, Bettering the Environment One Community At A Time photo via Flickr user Motohide Miwa

The winning teams defined an environmental issues important to them, developed an action plan to help the issue, put the plan into action, and then reported their results. Here are what the California teams designed and executed:

High School Category:

• California (La Crescenta) – “Eco Savers 2010” – Clark Magnet High School – Addressed the threat to waterways and oceans and its effects on the lobster population, with a specific focus on California spiny lobsters, Panulirus interruptus.  Recruited divers to donate tissue samples from lobsters, formed partnership with lab at CSU Long Beach to do testing, create maps in ArcGIS and made presentations to the community and schools.

Middle School Category:

• California (Pasadena) – Lunch Bunch – High Point Academy – Created and implemented a campaign to reduce waste from lunches.  With this campaign, the school reduced their trash by 37%.
• California (Hillsborough) – SPEW – The Nueva School – Embarked on raising water conservation awareness.  Launched a successful argument against the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s effort to divert an extra 25 million gallons of water a day from the Tuolumne into Hetch-Hetchy. Encouraged over 100 students to reduce shower time by one minute each, saving over 500 gallons of water every day. Created an interactive presentation and a website in order to raise awareness.

The Lexus Eco Challenge is part of The Lexus Pursuit of Potential, a philanthropic initiative generating up to $5 million in donations each year to help build, shape and improve children’s lives.

Great cars and a heart to give back to the community, what isn’t there to like about Lexus?

What are the greatest environmental issues in the area in relation to Air and Climate? This is the topic for Round #2 of the Eco Challenge. How do you think student teams could improve the air in California? Share with us in the comment box below or on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

Are lead-foot drivers just bored drivers?

Do you love to drive, but hate to commute? How often would you find yourself bored on your way to work? Any chance you have a record of speeding tickets too?

Chances are that if you find yourself bored while driving, you are more likely to put that pedal to the metal.

In a new study of 1,563 drivers in Sydney, Australia, drivers were polled about their attentiveness while driving and the speeds they usually cruise at. Turns out, the more bored you are while driving, the more often you will take dangerous risks behind the wheel.

Bored while driving? Just make sure you know the speed limit.

The most bored and fastest drivers of everyone? Young people and women. These drivers “perhaps pose the most problems for road safety, as they appear to offend the most, drive fastest and get bored most easily, from what is probably a low-boredom threshold,” the study says.

The safest drivers? People who describe themselves as slow drivers or people that drive the least.

But this news comes from across the globe. Would the same results be found out here in Monterey? Lexus Monterey wants to know about your experience with driving boredom. How do you keep your commute engaging? Do you find driving in California especially interesting or challenging? Ever tried to charm your way out of speeding ticket? Your story might appear on one of our upcoming blog posts or on our Facebook!

And in the meantime, do your best to stay enthusiastic about driving and avoid speeding tickets (or worse). Maybe getting behind the wheel of a Lexus will help keep driving fun? Stop by our showroom and see if a Lexus is the cure for your car boredom. Couldn’t hurt, right?

The December to Remember is Almost Over!

It’s almost the end of the 2010, and you know what that means—time is running out for you to take advantage of the “December to Remember” Sales Event! Don’t wait a second longer!

Come to Lexus Monterey Peninsula or visit us online before the New Year and receive limited-time December specials on all models including the 2011 RX, IS, ES, GS, HS and GX!

Lexus of Monterey specializes in new and used vehicles, so you are positive to find that perfect gift you’ve been looking for… even if it’s a gift to yourself!

The 2011 RX 350 is available to lease for $429 per month for 36 months with $3,499 due at signing. The new IS 250 is yours to lease for $319 for 36 months with $3,499 due at signing. Deals like these won’t last forever, so come on in and speak with one of our sales reps today to find your next Lexus!

We are also offering discounts on services and parts for December, so hurry in! Then head to our Facebook or Twitter and tell us why you love Lexus!

Stay ‘Enformed’ for the Holidays!

Getting ready to head out on the road for the holidays? Planning that cross-town or cross-country trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa? Or heading over to a friend’s house or a new restaurant for the countdown on New Years Eve?

Lexus has all of your holiday trip planning covered with the Lexus Destination Assist, eDestination and Enform features for your Lexus vehicle.

Destination Assist keeps you in contact with a 24-hour response center with agents who are willing and able to help you find your destination and show you how to mark your destinations on your Lexus’ navigation system.

eDestination is an online feature from Lexus that allows you to access your traveling destinations remotely, whether it’s from your mobile device or your laptop. You can search for new places to visit or add notes about the spots you’ve already checked out.

Lexus Enform Mobile Application allows you to access the Destination Assist and eDestination from your iPhone, BlackBerry or Android mobile device.

You can view more about how these applications work here, and then head over to Facebook and Twitter to let us know what you think!

Lexus partners with Xbox Live to Promote CT 200h

Following in the footsteps of other carmakers who have partnered with video gaming companies, Lexus will work with Xbox Live to promote the sales for the 2011 Lexus CT 200h hybrid hatchback.

Lexus planned to award Microsoft Points to users who log onto Xbox Live and download the free Lexus All-Nighter Gamer Picture on Saturday, Dec. 18. Microsoft Points are the currency for Xbox Live services. According to an article from Car Tech Blog, Lexus will award 4,000 Microsoft Points to eight Halo: Reach players every hour between 6 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday. 
 

Photo courtesy of Auto Blog

Four thousand points is the equivalent of about $50, and will buy approximately five games, three movies or 50 songs on the Zune marketplace. Those who decide to participate will be able to view more information about the CT 200h through the Dark Casting ad campaign component.

You can view the Dark Casting promotion here. Let us know what you think of this promotion strategy on our Facebook page or on Twitter. Then, log onto your Xbox on Dec 18 for your chance to win!

World’s Largest Lexus Showroom

The world’s largest Lexus showroom opened at the end of November and it’s a head-turner.

The showroom opened its doors in Kuwait and is built on more than 32,000 square-feet. It consists of a certified car showroom, a new car showroom basement, ground floor and a 5,000 square-foot parking lot.

According to autoevolution.com, the dealership will offer 7-star service to customers in Kuwait and is owned and operated by Mohamed Naser Al Sayer & Sons Est. Co.

Services will include valet parking, lounges and cafés, panoramic elevators and a gift shop.

The prime minister and other dignitaries attended the grand opening on Nov. 28, according to a blog called Banana Q8.

The blog also provided footage of the grand opening:

Here is another video of the original plans and first pictures of the showroom, courtesy of Lexus Center Kuwait:

You can view more pictures and information from the new showroom at the Lexus Kuwait Facebook page. Then head to our Facebook page or Twitter and let us know what you think!

And don’t forget to enter the iPad contest for Lexus Monterey Peninsula in the post below or on our Facebook!

Preview: 2011 Lexus CT 200h

As the auto shows roll on through the holiday season, Lexus is revealing a little more about its future endeavors.

The Lexus CT 200h is a concept hybrid wagon that will average approximately 42 MPG, according to Autoweek.com. Lexus says that will make it the highest of any luxury vehicles

Lexus debuted the hybrid at the 2010 New York Auto Show in March. It features a hatchback style and 1.8-liter engine.

It also features four modes or settings to offer more options; normal mode, EV mode, ECO mode and sport mode. You can learn more about the settings for each on Lexus’ website.

Specs of the 2011 Lexus CT 200h from Lexus.com:

• 1.8-liter engine with Variable Valve Timing intelligence (VVT-i)
• Permanent-magnet electric-drive motor
• 134 total system horsepower
• Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT)
• Front-wheel drive

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Photos courtesy of Lexus.com

Let us know what you think of the CT 200h on our Facebook or Twitter!

‘Hollywood Hotties’ choose Lexus

Blake Lively walks to her Lexus SC 430. Photo courtesy of The Insider.

Autoevolution blog is dubbing Lexus the “Official Hollywood Hottie Car.” And for good reason.

Among the some of the celebs seen hittin’ the streets around the Hollywood Hills with a Lexus are Hayden Panettiere, Mila Kunis, Blake Lively and Isla Fisher.

It’s not just the ladies. Tony Hawk has been seen sporting a Lexus SC 430. Other notable Lexus owners include Steven Spielberg, Ben Affleck, Sienna Miller, Harrison Ford, Tyra Banks and Bill Gates. Lexus has become commonplace in popular culture as well, finding its way into songs by Jay-Z, Tupac and Kanye West.

Cities like Los Angeles and Monterey play hosts to dozens of parties and events for the automaker every year, so it’s no surprise to see the stars who frequent these events rolling up in their own Lexus automobiles.

And it can’t hurt that plenty of L.A. bombshells and beauties are jumping behind the wheels of their modest Lexus vehicles. Autoevolution predicts the celeb interest in the brand will only increase sales from young and young-at-heart drivers who wish to “imitate” their idols.

You can see pictures of some of your favorite celebs with their Lexus vehicles below, and you can also find an affordable deal on a Lexus at Lexus Monterey Peninsula!

Let us know what you think about the Lexus craze on our Facebook or Twitter!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Photos courtesy of Google Images.