Being in Touch With Your Senses Can Bring You Closer to Lexus, Milan and ¥2.5 Million

Ah, the sights, smells, sounds, tastes and feel of Milan in the spring! Designers who have innovative ideas can enter the 2015 Lexus Design Award for a chance to display their works at the 2015 Milan Design Week, be mentored by international creatives and receive up to ¥2.5 million to build a prototype of their own. The third Lexus Design Award competition is open for entries!

First launched in 2013, the Lexus Design Award is an international competition that supports young creatives who tackle problems using design. It features a unique mentoring program for four entrants that helps them produce working prototypes of their innovative ideas and showcase their concepts to an elite design community.

The theme of the 2015 Lexus Design Award is "Senses." A wide range of possibilities open with a broad subject that influences perception and is intrinsic to life. This year the theme also bridges design with the driving experience, something with which Lexus is very familiar. All senses are engaged with eye-catching vehicle styling, the sound of the finely tuned engine, the feel of semi-aniline leather seats, and the “new car smell.” By considering this array of examples, Lexus seeks to illicit extraordinary responses that explore the five senses.

The Lexus Design Award provides an opportunity for 12 finalists and their works to receive wide exposure in the design community and beyond through exposure at 2015 Milan Design Week. In addition, four of the finalists — twice as many as last year — will receive up to ¥2.5 million and support from international design mentors as they develop their prototypes. This year’s mentors are Arthur Huang, Robin Hunicke, Neri & Hu, and Max Lamb. At 2015 Milan Design Week, the creators of the four prototypes will present their designs at the Lexus pavilion before the Grand Prix winner is announced.

Entries to the 2015 Lexus Design Award competition will be accepted through November 3, 2014 at http://www.designboom.com/competition/Lexus-design-award-2015. The 12 finalists will be announced in early 2015.

Lexus and The Weinstein Company Re-team to Produce The Second Lexus Short Film Series

Lexus supports young creators by challenging two rising filmmakers to interpret “Life is Amazing” through short films.

Lexus and The Weinstein Company have once again come together in the spirit of innovation to produce two new short films for their second annual “Life is Amazing” Lexus Short Films series. Two rising filmmakers (Jon Goldman, Satsuki Okawa with script writer Ken Ochiai) are being mentored by acclaimed members of the film community including actress Katie Holmes (The Giver, Wonder Boys) and directors Justin Chadwick (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, upcoming Tulip Fever), Simon Curtis (My Week With Marilyn, upcoming Woman in Gold), Antoine Fuqua (Brooklyn’s Finest, Training Day, upcoming Southpaw), and Phillip Noyce (The Giver, The Quiet American).

The group will also film featurettes that highlight the mentoring process as each talent meets with the up-and-coming directors and offers guidance and support. The pieces will also focus on the art of the short film, the evolution of the medium and its importance, and the growing global appetite for the format. The featurettes will be released leading up to the films' theatrical run in Los Angeles and the worldwide release in October.

Said Noyce, “It’s an honor to have been approached by The Weinstein Company and Lexus International to participate in such an innovative and important program. What they are doing with the next generation of filmmakers will have a significant impact in the world of cinema. I’m truly excited for audiences to see what these talented, young directors are creating.”

The first presentation of the shorts, Market Hours and Operation Barn Owl, took place at the Short Shorts Film Festival in Tokyo on May 29th. As part of the marketing campaign, both films will play at numerous festivals around the world including the Los Angeles Shorts Festival, The Rhode Island Film Festival, and The Portland Film Festival. They will also be attached to major Weinstein Company releases such as The Giver.

World premieres will take place July 30th in Los Angeles and August 6th in New York. Noyce will show footage from his new upcoming Weinstein Company film The Giver, starring Brenton Thwaites, Odeya Rush, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Alexander Skarsgard, Katie Holmes, and Taylor Swift at the New York event.

Five Simple Ways to Improve Gas Mileage

1. Run several errands in one trip. Pick up the dry cleaning, dog food and groceries in one trip. Even better, do it on your way to or from work.

2. Reduce Weight. Less weight in your car means that the engine won’t have to work as hard. Eliminate unnecessary cargo, especially during your daily commute because those miles add up quick.

3. Keep your tires inflated to manufacturer standards. This one is easy and makes a huge difference. Low inflated tires will have a drastic effect on the fuel mileage your car gets.

4. Don’t speed! While each car has a different optimal speed to fuel mileage ratio, a good rule to keep in mind is that, on average, every 5 mph over 50 mph that you travel costs an extra 25 cents/gallon.

5. Use cruise control and overdrive. Most modern car’s cruise control uses a computer to achieve the best possible fuel economy. Using overdrive, especially on the freeway, engages a higher gear ratio, effectively reducing the amount of work your car’s engine is exerting.

We hope these five tips can help save you some money. If you have any other tricks that you like to implement, be sure to let us know!

Hurrican Season Preparedness Tips: Be Ready

The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1st. While most of us in this part of the country have experience dealing with tropical weather, it never hurts to brush up on hurricane safety.

2013 Hurricane Season Quick Facts:

Total Depressions: 15
Total Storms: 14 
Hurricanes: 2
Major Hurricanes (Cat. 3+): 0
Total Damage: At least $1.51 Billion (USD)
Fatalities: 47

Last year was the first season since 1994 that the Atlantic region encountered zero major hurricanes. A major hurricane is characterized by a category three or higher. While that's great news, history has proven that such an occurrence is rare and that you should be well prepared this season for whatever Mother Nature has in store. 

Even though there were no major hurricanes last year, by the NOAA's standards, 47 fatalities were still suffered. This shows that, even in the weakest of hurricane seasons, it is still important to be prepared. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides a four-point general preparedness plan.

1. Gather Information: This step includes keeping a list of emergency contacts, and preemptively analyzing your local risk in the occurrence of a storm. 

2. Plan and Take Action: Develop a family emergency plan, taking into account unlikely situations and contingencies. Have evacuations locations ready. Review your school, work, city and local harbor procedures for hurricane occurrences. 

3. Recover: Wait until the area has been declared safe before returning.

4. Resources: Visit the NOAA website for available resources. 


Another important practice is to prepare an emergency supply kit. Some important items include, but are not limited to: Water, 3-day supply of non-perishable food, hand-crank radio, flashlight and extra batteries. More info on how to prepare an emergency supply kit can be found here.

The NOAA's motto is "Be Ready." It would be very wise to heed the professional's advice.

Lexus Airport Park & Service: L.A.P.S.

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En garde! April Fools Pranks for Car Lovers

Each year it seems that April 1st pranks just get more outrageous. Seriously, maybe you shouldn't even leave the house. And don't even think about getting on Facebook. 

Perhaps the best way to avoid falling victim to the shenanigans this year is to administer the deception. After all, they do say that the best defense is a good offense.

Here are a few ideas for pranks involving cars. 

*Disclaimer: People take their cars very seriously so choose your victim wisely.

1. Cellophane wrapping. This one needs no explanation.

2. Accessory Overload. If you have access to your victim's keys, this one can be really great! Turn on the radio, wipers, A/C, hazards, parking brake and whatever else you can think of so that the next time they get in the car, well...

3. Balancing Act. Using tape or a similar adhesive utility, secure an empty coffee cup or mug to the top of your car. Watch the bewildered stares as you maneuver around the city with seemingly super driving powers.

4. Hit and run. Leave a note that will make your victim think that somebody hit their car!

5. A smashing success. Obtain an old car window from a scrap yard. Smash it to pieces, roll your victim's car windows down and place the broken glass on their seat and on the ground. All that's left is to break the news.

Let us know if you have any auto related pranks of your own!

Ciao Bella! Designs From International Artists Showcased At Lexus’ Milan Design Week Display

 
Whether it’s the sleek styling of the new RC F sports car, the exhibits at Lexus’ INTERSECT space in Tokyo, or as part of its display at Milan Design Week, Lexus is committed to showcasing outstanding designs.

Milan Design Week, also known as Salone Del Mobile, is the world’s largest design exhibition and will be held April 9-13, 2014. Furniture makers and fashion brands stage a variety of related events throughout Milan to highlight the appeal and originality of their designs.

Appearing in the Lexus display at Circolo Filologico Milanese will be designs from Italian Fabio Novembre, Japanese Nao Tamura and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Tangible Media Group led by Professor Hiroshi Ishii. These creations will be joined by the 12 winning works from the second Lexus Design Award (LDA).

Lexus challenged Novembre, Tamura and MIT to create unique responses to the theme of “Amazing in Motion” and to express the concepts in a way that was completely new to their creative process.

Two of the LDA winners being showcased at the event will display finished prototypes of their designs prepared in collaboration with influential creative professionals who offered their services as mentors. This year’s mentors are Taiwanese architect/engineer Arthur Huang and American game designer Robin Hunicke. Huang will help showcase Britain’s James Fox’s “Macian” idea for creating kids’ forts. Hunicke is the mentor for Germany’s Sebastian Scherer’s “Iris,” a handblown glass lamp with an iridescent, shimmering coating.

Since the launch of the LDA in late 2012, Lexus has been supporting great design: from working with established creators to championing new talent.

Lexus IS. . .What a Beauty

 

 

Have you seen the new Lexus IS? These cars are not only eye catching but equipped with a full range of awesome features that can make anyone happy. Come on down to Lexus of Orlando and let us help you find your perfect match.

Visit the Lexus of Orlando inventory page for more information or contact our sales department at (800) 528-6404.

Lexus IS Launch Spots Encourage Consumers to Blend Out

To launch the entirely new 2014 Lexus IS sport sedan, the automaker today debuts three new television spots comprised of iconic, stylized visuals designed to be provocative. The strikingly different IS, which will arrive in showrooms this July, is the latest vehicle in the Lexus lineup to showcase the brand’s commitment to bold and dynamic design. Like the new IS, the supporting TV spots are a deliberately defiant departure from the status quo.

“This third-generation IS features the bold new styling and dynamic driving characteristics now inherent in the Lexus lineup and the new ads reflect that excitement,” said Brian Smith, vice president of marketing for Lexus. “The TV spots capture the emotion engineered into the IS and challenge customers with ‘It’s Your Move.’”

Celebrating the independent spirit of the IS, two new general market spots, created by Lexus’ agency of record, Team One, use music, fashion, and contrasting colors to make a purposeful statement. Emotions in the two spots are polarizingly different as they showcase the serious yet playful faces of the IS.

In “Crowd,” a vast throng, dressed head-to-toe in black, pulses to a steady, anthemic song at an open-air concert. An attractive man and woman, both dressed in white, catch the other’s glance and push through the crowd until they meet. They join hands and, together, move against the current of the crowd. The bold, distinctive spindle grille of a white IS F SPORT is revealed as the couple reach the car and climb in. Donned in white, the three are destined to escape the sameness of the pack. The IS F SPORT peels away and heads to the open desert, the antithesis of the crowd, where complete freedom and independence reign. The spot emphasizes that things designed to draw a crowd are good, but leaving the crowd behind is more rewarding.

The second spot, “Color Shift,” shows it’s more fun and exciting to blend out than blend in. A white IS F SPORT speeds through a graphic white background, passing a series of tableaus: A woman dressed in white twirls a white umbrella with confidence, a man wearing a white top hat jams on a white guitar, and chic white clocks, turntables and bicycles pepper the environment. The spot cuts to a black IS 250 driving through a similar black background with parallel stylized moments. Dressed head-to-toe in their respective world’s color, two women give each other a confident high five as they, alongside the IS vehicles, dramatically cross into the contrasting world. Both the women and the cars are beautiful when they blend in, but exquisitely stand out when they dare to be different.

Original music from Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh punctuates the hyperstylized, rock & roll look and feel of the spot. It punches and pops. The cars become characters themselves, equal to the people living in the contrasting worlds, and demonstrate the elevated experience of driving the new IS. The injection of culture in both spots comes to life through the lens of renowned Swedish film and music video director Jonas Åkerlund. His wife, B Åkerlund, brings a sophisticated level of styling to the spots, creating angular, iconic looks with contemporary yet timeless clothing and accessories.

Two additional spots, created by Lexus’ multicultural agency, Walton Isaacson, are part of the broadcast campaign as well. “This is Your Move” is geared to the African-American audience. Set in an industrial environment, the spot features Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp as he searches for something that matches his ambitious and driven personality. He finds the 2014 IS 350 F SPORT and takes it on an aggressive drive as the spot intercuts with an attractive woman dancing with her IS 250. The quick cuts, seductive imagery and pulsing music portray the IS as an item of desire. “Intense” is targeted to the Hispanic audience and follows a young couple as they experience the thrills of driving the redesigned IS 250. Their enthusiasm from the moment they slide into the car illustrates that the IS offers an intense driving experience like no other.

“Crowd,” “Color Shift” and “This is Your Move” will air on NBC during this year’s U.S. Open Championship. “Crowd” will also be running in cinema beginning June 21, with “Intense” and additional Lexus IS marketing campaign elements launching in the coming months.

Courtesy of Lexus

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Throwback Thursday: EVO TV’s Chris Harris test driving the LFA Nurburgring Edition around the infamous Nordschleife. Enjoy.

Teen Vogue and Toyota Partner on Safe Driving Campaign to Help Educate and Empower Teenage Girls

In conjunction with Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, Teen Vogue and Toyota announced today “Arrive in Style,” a safe driving campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving among teenage girls and inspire them to make a mutual commitment with their mothers to drive safely. 

  While cars today are safer than ever, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. In 2010 seven teens between the ages of 16 and 19 died every day on average from motor vehicle injuries.

  “We are thrilled to partner with Toyota on this important initiative. When we saw the scary statistics around distracted driving, we knew this was a cause worth taking on,” said Jason Wagenheim, Teen Vogue Vice President and Publisher. “Teen Vogue’s influential young readers are the perfect ambassadors not only to participate in this initiative, but also to help build awareness and educate their peer groups on the importance of driver safety. Toyota, with the success of their ongoing work in this arena, is the ideal partner.”

  “Teen Vogue really shares our commitment to help keep teens safe, and with their reach and readership they’ve been a great partner to help amplify our longstanding efforts to empower teen girls to be safer drivers,” said Marjorie Schussel, Corporate Manager of Corporate Marketing for Toyota Motor North America (TMA).  “We also are excited to involve moms since our approach to teen safety has always included outreach to parents as well.”

  The “Arrive in Style” campaign – developed in partnership by Teen Vogue, Toyota Motor North America and their ad agency of record, Dentsu America – launches this week and includes print, digital and social media elements that will run through February 2014. Kicking off with the May print edition of Teen Vogue, which hits stands this week, monthly advertorials will feature helpful tips and advice from Toyota on different safe driving topics.  The campaign will also include stories and online videos of Teen Vogue readers and their mothers about their commitment to driving safely, underscoring the special roles that mothers and daughters play in inspiring each other. 

  Extending into digital, the campaign will drive Teen Vogue’s audience to the “Arrive in Style” online hub . The site will feature Toyota’s Mutual Driving Agreement that mothers and daughters can e-sign and share via Facebook for a chance to win monthly prizes. In addition to signing the Agreement, teens can upload a photo on the microsite of them and their mom “air driving” for a chance to win a trip to New York City to be featured in the February 2014 issue of Teen Vogue.

  Study Reveals Distracted Driving Is Pervasive Among Teen Girls

  “Arrive in Style’s” unique approach of involving mothers is based, in part, on the recent study by Toyota and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), which found a significant correlation between teen and parent driving behaviors, suggesting that parents are a major influence on a teen’s driving habits.  

  “We know from our Study with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute that parents who engage in distracting driving behaviors more frequently have teens who engage in distracting behaviors,” said Dr. Tina Sayer, Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) Principal Engineer and teen safe driving expert.  “It is critical for parents to talk to their teens about driving safety and to always be the drivers they want their teens to be.”

  In conjunction with the launch of “Arrive in Style”, Toyota released new findings from the Study regarding driving behaviors of teen girls:

 

• Sixty-two percent of teen girls report using a cell phone while driving (handheld and/or hands-free).

• Nearly one in three girl teens (30 percent) reads a text or email once or more every time they drive. 

• Almost a quarter of girl teens (23 percent) respond to a text once or more every time they drive.

• Almost one in five (19 percent) of teen girl drivers report that they have extended conversations via text message while driving.

• More than half (51 percent) of girls say they search for music on a portable music player, such as an iPod, while driving.

• Twelve percent of girls report that they update or check social media, such as Facebook or Twitter, while driving.  

• Seventy percent of teen girl drivers report they drive with two or three teen passengers and no adults in their car, whichis associated with a doubling of a driver’s risk of being killed in a crash, as compared to having no passengers.

 
For additional findings from the Study, please visit www.toyota.com/csrc.
 
“Arrive In Style” is the latest initiative from Toyota that is designed to help keep teens safe on the road.  Toyota Driving Expectations (www.toyotadrivingexpectations.com) provides hands-on, real world defensive driving courses that go far beyond what is taught in standard driver education courses, while Toyota Teen Driver (www.toyotateendriver.com) offers free online teen safety resources to parents, teens, educators and schools.   The Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center (www.toyota.com/csrc) works with leading North American Universities, hospitals, research institutions and agencies on research designed to better understand teen drivers’ risks and behaviors and identify effective recommendations to help keep them safe.

Courtesy of Toyota USA Newsroom

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