---

Lexus Reports April Sales

1 May 1998

Lexus Sales Continue to Break Records; Strong Start RX 300 Boosts Sales 55 Percent

    TORRANCE, Calif., May 1 --  The Lexus Division of Toyota
Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., today reported an all-time record sales month of
12,423 cars and sport utility vehicles (SUV) sold in April, an increase of
55.1 percent over the same period last year.  The luxury market continues its
strong pace with Lexus' year-to-date sales up 36.6 percent.
    The all-new RX 300 mid-sized SUV, in its first full month on showroom
floors, posted sales of 3,128, representing 25 percent of Lexus' total sales.
The redesigned, hi-tech LX 470 prestige SUV ended the month with sales of
1,001, setting an all-new record month for the LX.
    The flagship LS 400 prestige luxury sedan picked up momentum in April
selling 1,735 units, up 11.7 percent from the same period in 1997.  LS 400
year-to-date sales out-pace last year by 13.2 percent.   The GS 400 and GS 300
high-performance sport sedans don't show any signs of slowing down their hot
sales pace with 2,907 sold in April, up 10.2 percent over last month.
    The ES 300 near-luxury sedan ended the month with 3,380 units sold, while
the SC 300 and SC 400 sold 272 units in April.
    "We predicted a 30 percent sales growth for Lexus in calendar year 1998,
but now we're thinking that may have been a little too conservative," said
Bryan Bergsteinsson, Lexus group vice president and general manager.  "The
excitement surrounding our two new SUVs is exceeding our wildest exceptions.
America loves SUVs with luxurious style, and the RX 300 and LX 470 are
delivering what they want.  With car sales continuing  to hold strong, we're
enjoying our best year ever."

SOURCE  Toyota Lexus