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Lexus Celebrates One Million Hybrids

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1 millionth lexus hybrid

Back when hybrids were first introduced to the market, no one was quite sure how successful the technology would be. The world was committed to gas cars, and at the time electric cars were seen as novelty vehicles that would never amount to much. Lexus joined the hybrid fray in 2005 with the Lexus RX 400h, the world’s first luxury hybrid vehicle. Just 11 years later, the one millionth Lexus hybrid is ready for delivery.

The Lexus NX 300h was hand delivered by Alain Uyttenhoven, head of Lexus Europe, to the lucky customer in Milan, Italy. This is actually customer Aldo Pirronello’s first Lexus purchase, and you can bet an impressive presentation like this will set him up to be a Lexus fan for life. Pirronello told Lexus that he chose the NX 300h for its smart design and for its hybrid powertrain.

After the Lexus RX 400h’s debut in 2005, Lexus followed it up swiftly with the Lexus GS 450h in 2006, the world’s first luxury sedan. The LS 600h followed in 2007, and the hybrid releases continued from there as demand for the vehicles slowly ramped up with skyrocketing gas prices.

Alain Uyttenhoven commented at the delivery of the one millionth Lexus hybrid that “No other Luxury carmaker can equal Lexus’ depth and breadth of efficient and refined drive full hybrids.  With our portfolio of advanced technology, like full hybrids and Lexus Safety System +, it’s no surprise we’ve reached this milestone and dominate the full hybrid luxury market.  I’m delighted to deliver this new NX 300h to Aldo Pirronello on behalf of Lexus International.”

The latest hybrid on the way from Lexus is the highly-anticipated LC 500h, which will be available in early 2017.