Lexus launches 'Design Matters' campaign

Lexus has hosted an event called ‘Design Matters' in New York City, as part of a new strategy to showcase the brand's commitment to design. Toyota's global president Akio Toyoda attended the event along with Mark Templin, executive vice president of Lexus International, who said, "Lexus is expanding as a global company and we need to speak to a broad global audience. There's no better way to do that than through design." Templin used the event to announce its other design-related campaigns.

Approved mechanics essential for quality service

DRIVERS need to make sure their car is being properly serviced by a qualified mechanic, says the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). To help drives do this, it has launched a government-backed scheme called the Professional Register. While there are around 175,000 people in the UK who call themselves automotive technicians, the IMI says it can only recommend around 27,000 as having the required skills and competence to carry out work to the required standard in their specialism.

New car sales up by 3% on 2013

ANOTHER RISE in new car sales in February has meant purchases have increased every month for two years. A total of 68,736 vehicles were registered last month - a 3% rise on the total for February 2013, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. Sales for the first two months of this year have totalled 223,298 - a 6.1% rise on the total for the first two months of 2013 SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the two years of continuous growth was "a real endorsement of consumer confidence and the attractiveness of the new car market".