Eco-Friendly Celebrities Get Exclusive Look at World's First Luxury Hybrid SUV

Lexus Donates New RX 400h to Support Oceana

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 10 -- Hollywood's eco-friendly celebrities will have an exclusive opportunity to be the first in the world to get up close and inside (and possibly own), the new 2006 Lexus RX 400h luxury hybrid SUV. The auto manufacturer is donating the environmentally friendly vehicle for a benefit raffle with 100% of the proceeds dedicated to Oceana. The vehicle will be on display at Oceana's "Partners Award" star-studded gala Thursday, November 11 at the Esquire House in Beverly Hills, California.

Oceana, an environmental organization whose worldwide support includes the entertainment community and many celebrities, is honoring Toyota and Lexus for its pioneering leadership in the development of gas-electric hybrid vehicles.

Hybrid vehicles have been a huge hit with environmentally conscious Hollywood celebrities -- including Johnny Depp, Ashton Kutcher, Jack Black, Brad Pitt, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Larry David, Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon and Sting. The Lexus RX 400h goes on sale in April of 2005 and is the world's first luxury hybrid vehicle with V8 like performance and the fuel economy of a compact sedan. Amazingly, the RX 400h emits 90 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than conventional vehicles.

In fact, while the RX 400h doesn't arrive in showrooms for another five months, it's already in high demand with more than 9,500 confirmed pre-sold orders. This event and raffle may be the best opportunity to be the first to own the Lexus.

"This vehicle is like having dessert with no calories," said Denny Clements, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "By participating in the raffle, people have the opportunity to do two good deeds for the environment -- support Oceana and drive the world's first luxury hybrid vehicle."

Raffle tickets are $50 and only 2,500 tickets will be sold. The drawing will take place on June 30, 2005, or sooner if all tickets are sold. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 1.877.762.3262.

About Oceana

Oceana (www.oceana.org) campaigns to protect and restore the world's oceans. Teams of marine scientists, economists, lawyers and advocates win specific and concrete policy changes to reduce pollution and to prevent the irreversible collapse of fish populations, marine mammals and other sea life. Many celebrities support the ongoing efforts of Oceana, including: Ted Danson (Board of Directors), Pierce Brosnan and Kelsey Grammar (Board of Governors). The "Partners Award" was established in 1994 to honor those who have made outstanding contributions through their commitment to the cause of protecting the world's oceans. For the 2004 awards gala, Tom Cruise and Jeffrey Katzenberg serve as co-chairs, and honorary committee members include Goldie Hawn, Ron Howard, Kate Hudson, Rob Reiner and Kurt Russell.

About the Lexus 2006 RX 400h

Based on the RX 330, the best-selling SUV in the luxury category, the RX 400h delivers greater performance, improved fuel efficiency and significantly reduced emissions while sacrificing none of its luxury or utility. Powered by a V6 Lexus Hybrid System that combines sub-eight-second zero-to-sixty acceleration and V8 like performance with expected fuel efficiency equivalent to the current average for a compact sedan, the RX 400h offers maximum power with no trade-off. The new RX 400h has also been certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV), California's most stringent gasoline vehicle emission standard. It's one of the first luxury vehicles to achieve this strict standard, producing about 90 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than typical new vehicles.