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Motor Trend Magazine Names Lexus RX 300

14 October 1998

Motor Trend Magazine Names Lexus RX 300 as Inaugural Sport/Utility of the Year

    ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 14 -- The innovative Lexus RX 300 was
named the inaugural Motor Trend 1999 Sport/Utility of Year at a press
conference here today.  Motor Trend President Lee Kelley made the announcement
at the California International Auto Show (Anaheim, Calif.).
    For the first time, Motor Trend has separated their coveted Truck of the
Year award into two segments, truck and sport utility vehicle (SUV).  This
decision reflects the continued popularity of SUVs in the marketplace and
recognizes the dramatically changing desires of the SUV customer.
Sport/Utility of the Year joins Truck of the Year, Car of the Year and Import
Car of the Year among Motor Trend's annual awards.  These awards recognize the
most significant new model within each class based on such variables as
design, value, innovation, performance, safety, technical advancement, quality
and market significance.
    In selecting the RX 300 as the winner of the Sport/Utility of the Year
award, Motor Trend editors noted "the Lexus RX 300's innovative design,
impeccable quality, attention to detail, high levels of comfort and safety,
standout value, and immediate market leadership made it the unanimous choice
to be our '99 Sport/Utility of the Year."
    The 1999 RX 300, introduced this past March, combines the ride height,
versatility and four-wheel-drive capability of an SUV with the ride comfort
and on-road performance of a luxury sedan.
    "It's great to have the RX 300 recognized as the most significant new
model in the SUV segment," commented Bryan Bergsteinsson, Lexus group vice
president and general manager.  "Lexus aimed to create a new concept in SUVs
that would give customers the car-like qualities they wanted along with the
utility of an SUV.  Earning Motor Trend's Sport/Utility of the Year honors
reinforces our belief that the RX 300 is the right vehicle at the right time."
    This is the third Motor Trend award Lexus has received in its nine-year
history.  The SC 400 sport coupe was recognized as Import Car of the Year in
1992, while the all-new 1998 GS 300 and 400 performance sedans received the
same honor last year.