SYDNEY CITY LEXUS
INSIGHT
NEW LEXUS ELECTRIFIED SPORT IS MELBOURNE CUP WINNER Without A Fight won the Lexus Melbourne Cup but Lexus emerged as the winner in the Birdcage stakes by prominently displaying its all-electric high performance sports concept Vehicle in the LANDMARK by Lexus pavilion. The stunning Electrified Sport serves as the halo Vehicle for Lexus's global shift toward a future dedicated to battery electric vehicles. We are proud to be a part of the Spring Carnival and the Lexus pavilion in Flemington’s famous Birdcage is much more than a hospitality arena. It’s a place to make a huge statement about future intent. The spectacular show car was flown to Australia specifically for this occasion. Whether it ultimately goes into production is not the point. It is a testament to the Battery Electric Future of Lexus. IMAGES COURTESY OF MAGNER MEDIA.
A NEW EVEREST FOR LEXUS Lexus has climbed new peaks. In the first week of spring our cumulative deliveries for 2023 exceeded 10,000.
Its most probable that our growth has been driven in part by our policy of Capped price Servicing – an offer which is unique in the luxury sector.
It was the first time we’d achieved that figure – and there were still four months of the delivery year to go.
Our guests appreciate the fact that service costs are kept low and are transparent.
It’s a new Everest for Lexus and we’ve had to recalibrate our goals going forward. Volume has never been our target. Guest satisfaction has always been our driving compulsion. We see it as a circle. We’ve passionately believed that building a loyal base of Lexus followers would contribute to sensible growth of our franchise – to the benefit of those people who support us. And that’s what happened. Our two SUVs – the NX and recently launched RX, have delivered a two-punch combination, contributing just over 60 percent of our total deliveries this year. And our ES300 sedan enjoys incredible support, especially from professionals. As compelling as the SUV concept is, there are people who still value a four-door luxury sedan, especially one with such incredible leg room and boot space. SYDNEY CITY LEXUS | INSIGHT | 2
It’s been a big factor in our interaction with our guests. It would be wrong to forecast results to the end of this year. But I can provide a glimpse into 2024. All indicators point to the market normalising towards the end of the first quarter. That means availability of new vehicles should be achieved with little or no delay. The majority of demand will be for hybrids. At Lexus we see hybrid making up three quarters of all deliveries, and we expect fully electric cars like our Lexus RZ to make increasing inroads. Value will remain high for quality pre-used vehicles. Well maintained Lexus vehicles with a qualified franchise service history will always attract a premium. It’s a time for celebration, and I thank all our guests for your continued support. John Roca, Dealer Principal
FIVE STARS IN ADVANCED SAFETY TESTING Our all-electric Lexus RZ has become the first vehicle to be tested under new, tougher safety criteria – and it’s earned a top of the range five-star rating. The new ANCAP (Australian New Car Accident Protection) regulations are the most stringent yet , across adult and child occupant protection ,vulnerable road user protection and safety assist measurements. In each category the RZ earned five stars. ANCAP praised the RZ for its ability to detect and warn occupants of an approaching cyclist when opening front and rear doors. Lexus RZ has attracted major interest at Sydney City Lexus, and it’s been part of our record year of meeting our guest’s requirements. Its long driving range, quoted at 470km, and its ability to recharge on a home three phase AC charger in 6.5hours from when the low drive battery level light comes on, have both been well received. We even offer complimentary access to fast and ultra-rapid Chargefox stations during our guests’ membership of the Lexus Encore Platinum program.
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A PREVIEW OF 2024 Lexus also used its LANDMARK pavilion to showcase its startling new LBX Cross over vehicle. It will be available to our guests very soon. The name stands for Lexus Breakthrough X(cross)-over. The chic, compact, urban SUV is due in Sydney City Lexus’ showrooms in the first half of 2024. LBX reimagines the concept of luxury vehicles built for an urban environment. While exact details are yet to be revealed we know it’s powered by a self-charging hybrid system incorporating a super-efficient 1.5litre three-cylinder engine. There are substantial opportunities for owners to personalise their LBX. For example, interior lighting offers up to 50 combinations of illumination.
GX, pre-production model shown.
AND IF THAT’S NOT ENOUGH Although the Lexus Melbourne Cup did not showcase the new-generation Lexus GX (above), we anticipate its debut in the first half of the upcoming year. The new-generation Lexus GX, a superbly capable off-road 4x4, able to carry up to seven people in luxury anywhere in Australia. GX will complement our top of the range LX which until now has been our exclusive entrant in the full time all-wheel drive, low-range transfer case segment. GX will be powered by a 3.5litre twin turbocharged V6 petrol engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
LBX, pre-production model shown.
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Its multi terrain system offers six off road drive modes to take you, virtually, anywhere you want to go.
IMAGE COURTESY OF TOM BLACHFORD.
LEXUS LEADS THE SPRING RACING CARNIVAL A post-Covid record of 84,492 people visited the Lexus Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November – up almost 15 percent on the previous year.
LUKE’S MELBOURNE CUP
The Spring Carnival celebrated Lexus’s 21st year of partnership with the Victorian Racing Club and our sixth as principal partner.
Curtis Stone, Scott Huggins, and Florian Barbarot were in charge of amazing menus at hospitality pavilions throughout the famed Birdcage enclosure – soon to be in its fortieth year. But according to the Australian Financial Review our own Luke Mangan won: “The most desirable location was LANDMARK by Lexus,” the paper said.
Our involvement is broad ranging – an opportunity for us to take our guests on an immersive journey through design, fashion, and culinary experiences and to showcase our commitment to innovation and sustainability. It’s fitting that our Birdcage pavilion should be called LANDMARK, because that’s how we see this once-a-year day enabling our marque to distinguish itself. LANDMARK provided a venue and opportunity for us to engage with many influencers in Australia’s diverse cultural environment. We were particularly pleased to support for the fifteenth year, the VRC’s charity fundraiser Pin and Win. First prize was our range topping Lexus RX350H luxury SUV. We’re happy to report that Pin and Win has raised more than $7.4million for charities since inception. This year we were proud to support the Australian Childhood Foundation.
This year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup turned into a battle of the chefs.
Luke presided over a 240-seat restaurant on Ground Level of our LANDMARK by Lexus pavilion as well as our Maki cocktail bar on Level 3. Luke showcased some dishes he’s working on at his new Luc-San restaurant: “I’ve created a menu that explores the connections between Japanese food and classic bistronomy in an imaginative way,” he said. While understandably hesitant to reveal the secrets of his preparation, Luke’s overview is undeniably mouth-watering. Try a dish of buckwheat soba noodles paired with sesame, dashi, compressed nashi pear and Dijon rayu. Or how about Brooklyn Valley beef sirloin with a pepperberry sansho sauce, wasabi peas, seaweed and mushrooms. Did someone say there was a horse race going on, too.
IMAGES COURTESY OF MAGNER MEDIA.
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WE LAUNCH OUR LUXE EXPERIENCE Sydney City is thrilled to announce the launch of our exclusive Luxe Experience Programme – an initiative crafted especially for our guests. Members of our program will enjoy access to benefits at a variety of renowned venues. Experiences include luxury spa treatments, delectable culinary encounters, and immersion in world class cultural events. The program has been made possible, in part, because of the association we share with many of our guests. They are the proprietors of venues that we all enjoy visiting and they appreciate the partnership we provide. Some are offering substantial incentives to members of our Luxe Experience Programme. We see ourselves as a conduit, and we’re pleased to introduce them, and you, to the opportunity. Please get in contact with one of the Sydney City Lexus team for further information.
HELP US HELP OUR COMMUNITY Sydney City Lexus is proud to have become a substantial donor to the Love Mercy Foundation, the latest in our portfolio of worthy causes worth supporting. Our support is directed towards famine relief in Uganda by supporting a program called Cents for Seeds, intended to propagate localised cropping. The introduction to Love Mercy came through our friend, long-distance runner Pat Farmer, who knows Australian Olympian Eloise Wellings, the founder of the foundation in 2010. We encourage our guests to explore the foundation's work at www.lovemercyfoundation.org. Our donation is one of several we’ve made recently. In addition to our support for Love Mercy, Sydney City Lexus also supports St. Vinnies and the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Our commitment extends beyond financial aid, as we contribute in both cash and kind. Our executive team has willingly given their own time to both charities and this Christmas you’ll find us at the Sydney Children’s Hospital wrapping presents and spreading holiday Cheer. SYDNEY CITY LEXUS | INSIGHT | 6
WE’RE ANIMATED ABOUT ESMOND’S SUCCESS Esmond Li, one of our star apprentices at Sydney City Lexus, has won the Lexus National Skills contest for the second successive year.
Armed with a degree in Design Animation from UTS, and a firm resolve that design was not the career path he wanted to follow.
To achieve this, he clinched the regional Skills title against the best apprentices in NSW marking his second consecutive state title.
“I’d decided that my future lay in problem solving and the automotive industry provided great opportunity in that regard,” Esmond said.
Esmond joined Sydney City Lexus in 2021, between the first and second wave of Covid.
At the age of 25, when he joined us, Esmond recognised that a new vocational direction was essential. Fortunately, Lexus’ global commitment to excellence in its service regime provided Esmond with the perfect template for his studies. The Motor Trader’s Association of NSW (MTA) conducts formal training for apprentices at our premises, supported by Lexus’ own detailed instruction. Graduates of the Lexus system have career opportunities anywhere in the world. Graduates of the Lexus system have career opportunities anywhere in the world.
MAKE YOUR DAY TRIP OVERNIGHT From time to time, Sydney City Lexus enjoys getting away to the Hunter Valley. It’s a leisurely two-hour drive from the Sydney CBD if you head straight up the A1. If you’re looking to meander, take a day and drive up the Putty Road to Broke. You can do it up and back in a day, but we ask: why?
completing the circle by driving back to Sydney the way you didn’t come up. As part of our Lexus Luxe Experience, Sydney City Lexus will occasionally offer Chateau Elan special access. Look out for it.
Every time we look there are new adventurous restaurants opening in the Valley, and accommodation opportunities presenting themselves to suit every taste. Our firm favourite is the five-star Chateau Elan (Vintage Drive, Pokolbin). Once you’ve parked there’s really no need to drive again. Its newly renovated Legends Restaurant has just opened and it’s the talk of the Valley. Book an early morning round of golf on the Greg Norman designed course, then have a snack at Spikes Bar (do golfers still wear spikes?) before SYDNEY CITY LEXUS | INSIGHT | 7
GET IN TOUCH Sydney City Lexus Waterloo 824 Bourke Street WATERLOO NSW, 2017 02 8303 1900 Sydney City Lexus Glebe 36-38 Parramatta Rd, GLEBE NSW 2037 02 9565 6363 sales@sydneycitylexus.com.au
www.sydneycitylexus.com.au