Chicago's in Bloom with Lexus' Launch of the All-New 2007 ES 350

CHICAGO, Feb. 7, 2006 -- Spring comes early to Chicago as Lexus plants an eighty-foot-tall blossom on the city's Magnificent Mile. The mechanical flower is part of the public launch of the all-new, fifth- generation Lexus ES 350 luxury sedan, which debuts at this year's Chicago Auto Show on February 8th, will be on display from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7th.

Located on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Superior, the bloom's face spans 25 feet and its petals are enhanced by multicolored lights that open and close as its street-side audience is asked the question: Can you engineer desire? Coinciding with the display, individual paper blooms will be distributed throughout the city, unfolding to ask the same question. Both the giant and the palm-sized flowers lead spectators to the ES 350's pre-launch Web site, www.2007ES.com, where they can further explore the vehicle's attributes and design as well as link to the core Lexus Web site.

"We believe that the all-new ES 350 epitomizes Lexus' new design direction," says Bob Carter, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "Every element of this vehicle invites participation -- both visual and tactile. Its design is something drivers will need to experience and not just observe."

Lexus' Chicago Auto Show press conference introducing the 2007 ES 350 will be held at 9:15 a.m., Wednesday February 8th. The luxury sedan, which goes on sale in late April, will be on display to the public throughout the auto show from February 10th until February 19th.