LEXUS ACHIEVES RECORD DEMAND (05 January 2006)

Luxury motor vehicle manufacturer Lexus is poised to challenge the luxury market in Australia with the launch of the world's first hybrid luxury car.

The announcement comes on the back of Lexus establishing an all-time record of deliveries in Australia, according to annual sales figures announced today.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries' VFACTS credits Lexus with 6005 deliveries in 2005, an increase of 19.9 per cent over 2004.

The Lexus result is more than four times the industry average rise.

According to VFACTS the combined prestige and luxury car segments rose 4.5 per cent to 72,190 deliveries, and the luxury market fell by 1.3 per cent.

Lexus is the third highest-selling luxury brand in Australia and its RX330 is the second highest-selling luxury SUV.

It is the third successive year Lexus has claimed a podium position amongst all luxury makes.

The company's new IS250, its predecessor and the SUV RX330 all set all-time records.

Lexus delivered 1809 of the (combined 200, 250 and 300) IS model to eclipse the previous highest record of 1639 for the model achieved in 2002.

It delivered 2563 RX330 models to beat the previous record of 2441 set in 2004.

Demand for the new GS300/430 range increased sixfold since launch in the first quarter of 2005.

Lexus delivered 737 of its GS model compared to 116 for the full year 2004.

"Consumer confidence in Lexus is high, in part based on the seamless technology developments introduced in new models," John Roca, corporate manager, Lexus Australia said.

"In 2006 Lexus intends to extend the technological advantage by introducing the world's first petrol-electric hybrid technology into the luxury market," he said.

"The first model is due in the first half of the year and others are to follow."

Mr Roca said take-up of hybrid power could be up to 20 per cent of the volume of each of the vehicle ranges into which it is introduced.

Lexus' RX330 claimed Australia's Best Luxury Four Wheel Drive award for the third consecutive year and was the second highest-performing luxury AWD in the market.

"It is testimony to the design and light footprint of RX330 that it continued to grow in sales while some of its strongest competitors suffered setbacks in demand," Mr Roca said.

"RX330 has established an enviable reputation for being a user-friendly SUV.

"Developments likely to occur this year will only enhance its reputation."