J.D. Power Releases 2012 Dependability Study

The good news today from J.D. Power and Associates is that overall vehicle dependability across all brands and vehicles has improved 13% over last year's scores. The data company's annual Vehicle Dependability Study rates the reliability of 3-year-old vehicles, so this year’s scores examine the performance of model-year 2009 cars, trucks and SUVs.

Most brands improved, with 25 out of the 32 gaining points. Six brands fell in the ranks, and one stayed the same. Brands awarded the top four slots are Lexus, Porsche, Cadillac and Toyota. The scores are toughest on Chrysler, whose brands rounded out the bottom of the list: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles performed the worst, according to the study.

Niche Cars a Success Despite Lower Volumes

When developing cars that are never intended to appeal to a mass audience, automakers must be careful not to introduce a car so eccentric that it has no audience whatsoever. Even when deemed successful, these niche automobiles remain low-volume, bit players. They form the supporting cast of an automaker's lineup. Think of them as Wallace Shawns (read to the end) of the automotive world and not the Tom Cruises.

One such vehicle that dangerously toed the line when introduced was the Nissan Juke. Thought by many to be too crazy looking on the outside and too cramped inside, Nissan cast the Juke as an alternative crossover that it hoped would pull in buyers bored with the traditional Rogue crossover and Sentra compact sedan.

In 2011, 35,886 Jukes were sold. That's a miserable-sounding total when you consider Nissan sold 124,543 Rogues last year, but it was an unexpectedly fine performance from a car that is so peculiar. The Juke outsold the Mini Countryman and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport combined in 2011.

Toyota: 19 New Models in 2012

Toyota had a rough year in 2011. Safety investigations and natural disasters presented challenge after challenge and wounded the company’s supply chain, sales figures and brand image. It's a new year, and it sounds like Toyota plans to stay busy.

The automaker is planning to launch 19 new vehicles in 2012 across its Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands, according to the Detroit Free Press. Executives detailed the plans to dealers last weekend at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Las Vegas.

Lexus to Air Its First Super Bowl Ad

It's sort of surprising that Lexus hasn't shown a Super Bowl ad during its more than two decades of existence. Now, after losing its 11-year sales crown as the largest luxury automaker to BMW, Lexus has decided the time is now to remind people what the brand is all about. It's showing off the newly redesigned 2013 Lexus GS series in its Super Bowl spot.

The ad borrows several motifs from the "Jurassic Park" film, including the rippling water and the dull thud of something big approaching. Overall, the ad builds excitement. And what's up with the four other cages in the background shown at the end? Lexus says it has another eight new or updated models to launch this year, including the refreshed Lexus LX 570 shown earlier at the Detroit auto show.

2013 Lexus LX 570 Pricing Announced

Lexus’ largest SUV took model-year 2012 off, but it returns for 2013 with fresh exterior styling, an updated interior and a slightly higher base price.

The automaker recently announced that the 2013 Lexus LX 570 will have an $80,930 base price (excluding an $875 destination fee) when it goes on sale in February. The 2013 model will cost $1,475 more than the outgoing version.

Other new-for-2013 additions include a beefed up off-road system and an updated version of the Lexus Enform multimedia system.

Related
2013 Lexus LX 570 at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show
2013 Lexus LX 570: Photo Gallery
2013 Lexus LX Chases Infiniti QX For Luxury-Loving Families

2013 Lexus LX 570: Photo Gallery

For the 2013 model year, Lexus has upgraded the looks of the LX 570; giving the model a new grille, LED running lights and new headlights.

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The inside gets updated, too, including the addition of a new infotainment system that can access Pandora, Bing and Yelp when tethered to a smartphone.

2013 Lexus LX Chases Infiniti QX For Luxury-Loving Families

Infiniti has nearly perfected the highly scientific and closely guarded formula required to produce a luxurious family hauler with inspiring performance. The automaker has set the bar high with the QX56 in that regard, with the exception of its design, which is a bit ... unique. Its works, though. In 2011, the QX56 outsold its main rival, the Lexus LX 570, 13,428 units to 3,167.

Now Lexus is trying to catch up with a refreshed 2013 LX 570.

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While I haven't had the opportunity to drive the new LX 570 with my family in tow, initial reports look promising. With many features similar to my favorites in the QX, such as a wide-view front and side camera feature allowing you to see what's in front of your bumper while moving at up to 7.5 mph, the 2013 LX 570 could be a contender, or maybe even a leader, in the uber-lux large SUV segment.

Lexus LF-LC Concept: Photo Gallery

Lexus' LF-LC hybrid supercar concept turned heads in Detroit with its dramatic styling and fluid, sculpted lines.

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From its imposing aluminum mesh grille, to its floating glass roof and 3-D effect taillights, LF-LC is one of the most provocative and stylistic Lexus vehicles we've ever seen.

Lexus LF-LC Concept: Up Close

The LF-LC is a look at the future of Lexus design channeled through a four-seat sports car concept. The car is still very much a concept but looks like a finished product with great attention to detail; some concepts are merely an empty shell with tinted windows. While not production ready, the LF-LC looks complete enough to pass as one of those one-off supercars included with the purchase of a multimillion-dollar yacht.

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Lexus LF-LC Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

• Looks like: A worthy desktop photo for any computer
• Defining characteristics: Glass roof, hybrid powertrain, four seats
• Ridiculous features: Puckered metal-mouth grille
• Chance of being mass-produced: Some design aspects could see production

The Lexus LF-LC Concept peeks into the future of Lexus design, which looks like a sporty, exotic future if any elements of the LF-LC make it to production.

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The LF-LC's profile has an exotic flair similar to the Lexus LFA supercar with deep side scoops and a sleek roofline. It was designed as a driver's car and looks the part from every angle with a wide stance, low roof, short rear and long nose. Lexus' new design language is exemplified in the LF-LC with its massive mesh grille surrounded by aluminum. It's a grille used with less exuberance on the production Lexus GS, CT 200h and recently refreshed LX 570.