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Lexus Has Top Premium Luxury Sedan and SUV in J.D. Power Study

6 May 1999

Lexus Has Top Premium Luxury Sedan and SUV in J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study 2

    TORRANCE, Calif., May 5 -- The Lexus LS 400 premium luxury
sedan and the LX 470 luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) received the top
honors in their respective segments in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial
Quality Study 2 (IQS2).  Additionally, the LS 400 had the fewest problems of
any vehicle for the sixth time in seven years.
    In Plant Quality, Toyota's Tahara plant, where the LS 400 and GS 300/400
sedans are built, tied for the Platinum Plant Award, ranking it one of the two
best plants in the world for producing vehicles with the fewest problems per
100 vehicles.
    The 1999 IQS2 results continue to show Lexus' presence at the top of J.D.
Power and Associates' studies.  In its 10-year history, Lexus, the luxury
division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., has consistently scored well in
customer studies gauging initial quality, customer satisfaction, product
appeal and vehicle dependability.  In March, J.D. Power and Associates
announced Lexus ranked as the No. 1 nameplate in their Vehicle Dependability
Study for the fifth consecutive year.
    "Our goal is to offer the highest quality cars and trucks, and we're proud
this study reflects that," said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager
Bryan Bergsteinsson.  "Our high-quality products, paired with Lexus'
outstanding customer service, is proving to be a successful formula for
satisfying buyers.  With sales up nearly 40 percent for the year, we're
confident we're providing what customers want."