As of the end of last month, Lexus has sold more than one million hybrids across the world since it introduced its first hybrid, the RX 400h, in 2005. Many others have followed in the time between then and now, including the ES 300h and LS 600h. Since 2005, Lexus has sold approximately 345,500 hybrid vehicles in North America. For the month of March, the brand was once again crowned the top-selling luxury vehicle manufacturer in the United States.
You know how Lexus commemorated the one million milestone? By delivering an NX 300h to a customer…in Milan, Italy.
Given Lexus’ popularity here in the states, that might be a little confusing, but looking at how many hybrids the company moved in Europe last year will un-confuse you. Europe has been Lexus’ #2 market for hybrid sales since 2005, second only to North America. However, in 2015, European dealers sold 40,629 Lexus hybrids, whereas North American dealers unloaded 38,540.
As much as us Americans favor green Lexus models, which are available in the CT, NX, RX, ES, GS, and LS lineups, global market customers can take their pick of 10 different hybrids, including an RC 300 with that all-important “h” suffix.
We might not get that model here, but the F version of the coupe is more than a consolation prize.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Where do you go for answers when you have a Lexus with a gorgeous leather interior but are not sure about how to maintain that luxurious look? The "Club Lexus" forums, of course.
