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Lexus Announces August Sales

4 September 1997

Lexus Enjoys Best Sales Month in Division History, ES 300 Also Achieves Best Ever Sales

    TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 3 -- Lexus today reported the best
sales month in its history with total August sales of 11,117, a 41.1 percent
increase over the same period last year.  The record total surpassed the old
mark of 10,448 set in September of 1993.  Year-to-date Lexus sales continue to
thrive with 64,676 units sold, a 23.4 percent increase over last year.
    The ES 300 sedan posted its best-ever sales month with 7,711 units sold,
an 87.7 percent increase over last year and surpassing the previous record,
set last month, by 21.5 percent.  Year-to-date ES sales totaled 42,213 units,
a 52.3 percent increase over last year's record pace.  Record ES sales figures
come on the heels of the recent J.D. Power and Associates' announcement naming
the ES 300 the most appealing car in the near-luxury segment in their 1997
APEAL awards.  The study measures an owners emotional satisfaction with their
vehicle.
    "As the end of the '97 season draws near Lexus is fielding a championship
team of products with a winning formula of quality, overall value and
excellent customer satisfaction," said Jim Press, Lexus senior vice president
and general manager.  "With exciting recruits coming for '98 in the way of an
all-new GS, an improved LS and two new sport utility vehicles, Lexus is going
to be the team to beat."
    The LX 450 sport utility vehicle enjoyed another strong month with sales
of 826 units, representing an increase of 40.6 percent over the same period
last year.  Year-to-date LX 450 sales are up 9.2 percent over last year.
    The SC 300 Sport Coupe recorded 349 units sold, an increase of 38.9
percent.  Year-to-date sales of the SC 300 are up 65.9 percent.  The SC 400
recorded sales of 219 units sold, a decrease of 27.6 percent.  Year-to-date SC
400 sales are down 2.9 percent.
    The LS 400 prestige luxury sedan, completing a sell-down before the
improved '98 arrives, recorded 2,005 units sold, down 19.6 percent over the
same period last year.  Despite depleted '97 inventory, LS posted its highest
sales figures since September '97.

SOURCE  Lexus