LEXUS SELLS ITS 1000TH HYBRID IN AUSTRALIA
Lexus Australia today announced that it had sold more than 1000 hybrids since the launch of its first hybrid, the GS 450h performance sedan, in May last year.GS 450h accounted for a third of Lexus' hybrid sales, while the world's first performance hybrid SUV, RX 400h, was the star performer accounting for two-thirds of sales.
The milestone coincides with recent research by Roy Morgan, which found that more than 50 per cent of all Australian new car buyers would seriously consider buying a hybrid vehicle.
The research conducted between January 2003 and April 2007 polled 28,812 Australians who intended to purchase a new vehicle in a four-year period.
The research showed that, of those intending to purchase a hybrid vehicle, 54 per cent were male and 46 per cent were female - with the majority of these in the 35-49 year age bracket.
Year-to-date (end July 2007) VFACTS figures reinforced this research, showing that sales of hybrid vehicles were up 93.3 per cent over the same period in 2006.
John Roca, chief executive of Lexus Australia, said Australians were embracing hybrid technology, for both the environmental and performance benefits.
"Not only are GS 450h and RX 400h some of the best performing vehicles in their classes, they are also the most economical," Mr Roca said.
"Lexus' hybrid vehicles challenge the myth that hybrids are underpowered and unreliable.
"Lexus hybrid customers enjoy the best of both worlds: Lexus' unyielding drive for quality, durability and reliability, coupled with guilt-free performance.
"Lexus is committed to hybrid technology. In fact, the LS 600hL long-wheelbase luxury hybrid due for launch in Australia later this year is by far the world's most advanced hybrid vehicle."