Toyota's Lexus rapped over hybrid car advert - GreenHybrid

Jason · #1 (**permalink**) 09-28-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

A newspaper advert in which Toyota's Lexus luxury car line claimed one of its hybrid vehicles was "perfect for today's climate" breached advertising rules, a watchdog ruled Wednesday.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld complaints made by readers of a press ad for the Lexus RX 400H that stated it was "Perfect for today's climate (and tomorrow's)", and added: "Driving the world's first luxury hybrid SUV makes environmental, and economic, sense."
The watchdog said the advert had broken rules regarding truthfulness and environmental claims, and added that readers would likely conclude that the car had little or no impact on the environment.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5...nEosownhF_sF3w

maseace · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 05:34 PM

There are a lot of other ads that are WAY more misleading than this.

doasc · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 06:04 PM

Keep in mind that this evaluation was in the UK. Based on CO2 emissions, cars in the UK are assessed on an A-G scale/bands for VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) , with G being the worse. The Lexus RX400H receives a F rating, which is better than the G rating of the RX350 but not as good as the E rating of the RAV4 Diesel.

http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/sea...s.asp?id=15202

ice · #4 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 12:16 AM

Maybe they're just exaggerating things....

spinner · #5 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008, 03:50 AM

Not the first time Toyota has taken liberties and misled the public in their advertising.

doasc · #6 (**permalink**) 10-16-2008, 07:59 AM

In marketing, perception is greater than reality.

I recall when gas prices in the US took off after Katrina, Ford and Chevy truck owners went to Toyota dealers to trade in their Detroit metal for the "more fuel efficient Tundra". Of course they were shocked to realize the Tundra basically got the same fuel economy as the F-150 and Silverados. But the legitimate advertising of the fuel efficient Toyota cars, gives the PERCEPTION that all Toyotas are more FE. To me the Prius served the same purpose to Toyota as the NSX did to Acura, the LS to Lexus and soon the Volt for Chevy. Low volume cars that help push the perceived image of that brand.