Lexus News & Blogs

Toyota Global Hybrid Sales Top Two Million Mark

In a time when some automakers have yet to introduce their first hybrid vehicles, the world's largest purveyor of these high-efficiency gas-electric cars and trucks just announced that it has now sold over two million of them worldwide. As of August 31, Toyota's global cumulative sales for passenger cars eclipsed the 2,014,200 mark -- plus an additional 2,700 commercial vehicles. As expected, the single largest seller in that lot has been the Prius. Now in its third generation, the popular five-door hatchback has accounted for about 1.43 million units -- roughly 70 percent -- of the 2.01 million total. Toyota's hybrid history began back in 1997, when it launched the Coaster Hybrid EV microbus into the domestic market in August and followed it with...
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California Mandates Cooler Cars to Fight Global Warming

It's not quite what you think. But the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has just passed the first legislation requiring solar-efficient glass to be used in all new cars sold in that state starting in 2012. Beyond literally keeping occupants cooler in the summer, the coincident reduction in the use of air conditioning will help improve average fuel economy and decrease the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. This new regulation will be enacted using a two-stage roll. From 2012-2015, all vehicle glass must be capable of rejecting at least 45 percent of the sun's total heat-producing energy, except for the windshield which will have a 50 percent rejection requirement. Starting in 2016, the numbers will rise to 60 percent all around. CARB data...
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Quick Drive: 2010 Lexus RX 450h

Perennial Golden Child of the Lexus lineup, the segment-leading RX series has undergone a full makeover for 2010. Growing marginally in size but materially in style, refinement and creature comforts, the gasoline-powered RX 350 is already doing its part to win over new fans in the crossover market. It will soon be joined by a hybrid stablemate, the new RX 450h. We recently spent time in an all-wheel drive version of this more eco-friendly upgrade to see how well it made the generational transition. Successor to the original RX 400h that appeared in 2005, the new 450h is fitted with the latest-generation Lexus Hybrid Drive System, which is basically a variation on Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. While both the RX 350 and RX 450h have a 3.5-liter V6...
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Obama Plan Paves Way for Unified Mileage/Emissions Standards

President Obama today presented a landmark proposal aimed at moving the country ahead on the road to a clean energy economy. Speaking in the White House Rose Garden and flanked by members of his administration and key auto executives, Obama offered a comprehensive approach that will significantly boost fuel economy numbers and resolve the ongoing legal wrangling that has long set automakers and the state of California at odds over supplemental greenhouse gas emissions issues. The president, who characterized the existing rules governing fuel economy as "inadequate, uncertain and in flux," called for the adoption of a new single-standard formula that will accelerate the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) requirement to 35.5 mpg by 2016 -- four...
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Toyota Creates First Certified Used Program for Hybrids

Looking to entice a new group of potential buyers into the hybrid vehicle arena which it currently dominates, Toyota has established the automotive industry's first certified used plan specifically dedicated to these mileage-making gas/electrics. The Toyota Certified Used Hybrid Program (TCUH) expands on its conventional Toyota Certified Used Vehicles (TCUV) regimen by adding 14 specific inspection points and expanding warranty coverage on all Toyota hybrid vehicles that qualify.Each previously-owned Prius, Camry or Highlander will come with a three-month/3,000-mile comprehensive warranty, seven-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and roadside assistance plan offered on traditional TCUV models as well as the balance of the pre-existing...
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