2013 Lexus Gs350 Base Sedan 4-door 3.5l on 2040-cars

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Lexus parts prices cut in China amidst antitrust fears

It's been a topsy-turvy summer for foreign businesses in China ever since that country's National Development and Reform Commission and State Administration for Industry & Commerce launched a horde of investigations into anti-monopoly practices. When the law outlining monopolistic behavior was passed in 2008 foreign companies appreciated it, expecting it to illuminate some of the more opaque corners of Chinese government enforcement. That hasn't exactly been the case, and now as more than 1,000 auto-sector firms get investigated and pay huge fines to settle the nebulous charge of having prices that are too high, that hoped-for clarity is all but gone.
A recent news report said Audi, Chrysler and Daimler "would be punished for unspecified violations" concerning the prices of spare parts. Earlier this month Toyota said that Lexus China was being looked at, and before there's been any public notification of punishment Lexus has decided to lower the price of its replacement parts. From next month, customers will save an average of 26 percent on roughly 15,000 parts. It's unknown whether the move will appease authorities enough to end the investigation, which outside analysts have said targets foreign firms in China over domestic industry.

2016 Lexus RX First Drive [w/video]

There is no more important model line to Lexus than the RX. Year to date, with a replacement on the way, the RX accounts for 28 percent of the brand's sales. It's the undisputed champ of the midsize luxury SUVs, nearly outselling BMW's entire SUV lineup. So when it came time to push a significant update to its best-seller, Lexus put the whole of its engineering might into the challenge. The 2016 RX represents the very best that Lexus is capable of, specifically when its spindle-shaped grille is pointed at its core audience. Starting with the basics, Lexus increased the exterior dimensions. Wheelbase grows just under two inches while overall length goes up by five. But overall interior space remains exactly the same at 139.7 cubic feet. Rear-seat passengers get extra space – head, hip, and legroom all nudge up slightly for 2016 – but it comes at the expense of cargo area, at least on paper. Whereas the 2015 RX offered as much as 80.3 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats folded, the 2016 model cuts that by a quarter to 56.3 cubes. Lexus representatives say that cargo space is up, and the numerical reduction is due to different measurement methods. The 450h's cargo area is smaller by a negligible half cubic foot due to the location of the car's battery pack. The new RX looks seriously chiseled. RX buyers and their friends enjoying the more spacious back seat are going to look considerably more stylish in 2016. The new RX looks seriously chiseled, with sides creased and cut to the point that there's hardly any flat surfaces. It's hard to pick favorite details, but we really like the upward-kick of the rocker panel. At the front lives Lexus' ubiquitous spindle grille, more exaggerated than ever before and rimmed by a strip of thick chrome. Sharp lines dominate the rest of the fascia, from the slit-like headlights to the arrowhead-shape that surrounds the fog lamps. There is a premium lighting package that includes LED lamps everywhere not to mention awesome sequential turn signal indicators in the taillights. UPDATE: It turns out the awesome sequential turn signal indicators aren't going to be available in the United States, which is a big bummer. If the floating roof looks familiar, that's because you've seen it on the Nissan Murano. Somehow the massive proportions of the trademark Lexus grille is not the most controversial styling element of the new RX.

Toyota recalls 2016 RAV4, RX350, and ES350 for stability failure

The Basics: Toyota will recall 4,170 examples of the 2016 RAV4, 90 units of the 2016 Lexus RX350, and 12,400 units of the 2016 ES350. The Problem: A component in the brake actuator assembly may have damage from a manufacturing error. The actuator controls the anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and other systems. If the part doesn't work properly these safety systems might not activate properly. Accidents/Injuries: Toyota spokesperson Amanda Rice told Autoblog, "Regarding the recent recalls, alleged crashes, injuries, and fatalities are reported in many ways to many different organizations. We are not providing specifics at this time." The Fix: Dealers will check the brake actuator's serial number and will replace it if the part comes from a period when the damage could have happened. If you own one: Toyota will contact affected owners by mail. Related Video: TOYOTA RECALLS CERTAIN 2016 MODEL YEAR RAV4 AND LEXUS RX AND ES VEHICLES TORRANCE, Calif., April 6, 2016 – Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. today announced that it is recalling approximately 4,170 Model Year 2016 Toyota RAV4; approximately 90 Model Year 2016 RX350; and approximately 12,400 Model Year 2016 ES350. The involved vehicles are equipped with a Brake Actuator assembly that enables enhanced brake control functions including the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control (TRAC), and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), among others. There is a possibility that a component inside the actuator could have been damaged during manufacturing, preventing the actuator from operating properly. This could cause a loss of vehicle stability control, increasing the risk of crash. All known owners of the affected Toyota vehicles will be notified by first class mail. Toyota and Lexus dealers will check the serial number of the Brake Actuator and replace actuators assembled during a specific production period. Information about automotive recalls, including but not limited to the list of involved vehicles, is subject to change over time. For the most up-do-date Safety Recall information on Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles, customers should check their vehicle's status by visiting toyota.com/recall and entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Safety Recall inquiry by individual VIN is also available at the NHTSA site: safercar.gov/vin.