Lexus Reports Best-Ever March Sales

       New SC 430 Posts Sales of 2,112 in First Two Weeks on the Market

    TORRANCE, Calif., April 3 Today Lexus reported sales of
20,715 units, which represents a sales increase of 24.0 percent from the same
period in 2000, setting a new best-ever March for the luxury manufacturer.
First-quarter sales of 51,540 are 15.1 percent ahead of last year's record
pace.

    The hot new SC 430 hardtop convertible, which went on sale March 15,
posted sales of 2,112, breaking the SC's long-standing all-time best record
set in December 1991.

    Overall, passenger car sales were up 75.4 from last March.  The LS 430
premium luxury sedan had a great month with sales of 3,021 units, up
192.4 percent from March 2000, while the IS 300 compact sport sedan posted
sales of 2,702.  In other car sales, the ES 300 sold 3,346, and the GS series
posted sales of 2,092.

    Lexus sport utility vehicle (SUV) sales were down slightly with RX 300
mid-size SUV sales of 6,621 and LX 470 premium luxury SUV sales of 809.

    "We had our own brand of March Madness at Lexus," said Denny Clements,
Lexus group vice president and general manager.  "Customers are clamoring for
the all-new SC 430, and we're working hard to satisfy customer demand as
quickly as possible."

    In addition to outstanding new-car sales, Lexus posted all-time best-ever
pre-owned and Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales with total pre-owned sales of
4,921 units and CPO sales of 2,759 vehicles.