Paul McCartney New Release Featured in Lexus Hybrid Ad

Paul McCartney New Release Featured in Lexus Hybrid Ad

McCartney's New Release 'Fine Line' in RX 400h Spot, Part of Sponsorship Which Includes Donation of One-of-a-Kind McCartney-Themed Signature Edition RX 400h to Adopt-a-Minefield

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Lexus television spot features the music from Paul McCartney's just-released CD "Chaos And Creation In The Backyard," marking the first time the music legend's new recording has been released to any company for use in advertising. Lexus is featuring the music of McCartney in the spot for its RX 400h, the world's first luxury hybrid SUV.

(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050920/LATU067-a) (Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050920/LATU067-b)

The 30-second spot called "Alternative," which began running on national network and cable outlets beginning this month, is one of many marketing communications extensions of Lexus' sponsorship of the Paul McCartney 'US' Tour Presented by Lexus.

"It's good to be involved with a company that sees the value of an environmentally conscious product," said McCartney. "I was happy to provide the music for the spot."

The ad, which features the single Fine Line from McCartney's 20th album release since the Beatles, "Chaos And Creation In The Backyard," debuted during the US Open and depicts a Lexus RX 400h speeding past other awkward, less powerful alternative energy vehicles. The voiceover states: "It's time for an alternative vehicle that's fuel-efficient ... yet spacious. That runs cleaner ... yet more powerfully. " The spot communicates that with the RX 400h, Lexus has perfected the luxury hybrid. The RX 400h provides a true performance alternative to V8 powered luxury SUVs but offers more than a 100- percent improvement in city fuel economy, all while producing 90-percent fewer smog-forming emissions.

"We're thrilled with the new creative," said Deborah Meyer, vice president of marketing for Lexus. "It not only supports the performance of our hybrid SUV, a first in its class, but it also introduces the newest of Paul McCartney's unique, iconic music to everyone." In addition to the new ads, Lexus is supporting the "Chaos And Creation In The Backyard" CD through a promotional sweepstakes and a special Web site www.lexus.com/mccartney.

Lexus has also announced the donation of the Paul McCartney Signature Edition Lexus RX 400h to Adopt-a-Minefield(R), a charity close to McCartney's heart. The organization, which works to resolve the global landmine crises, will award the commemorative vehicle to the winner of an online fundraising sweepstakes. (See www.landmines.org/wincar for more information on the sweepstakes.)

Part Gas, Part Electric, All Paul McCartney

The Paul McCartney Signature Edition Lexus RX 400h's graphic theme reflects something that has become iconic of Paul McCartney's on-stage image and which has been with him throughout his career -- a 1962 Hofner Bass and VOX(R) AC30 amplifier. Their lines and textures are incorporated throughout the vehicle design in a way that is both dramatic and classic. The only one of its kind in the world, the luxury hybrid SUV will be fully loaded with Lexus' suite of luxury amenities, a reissue 1962 Hofner Bass with case, a VOX amplifier, a collection of McCartney's music, a premium Mark Levinson(R) sound system and a plug-and-play outlet in the rear of the vehicle.

The exterior of the Paul McCartney Signature Edition RX 400h is hand- painted to mirror the features of McCartney's famous Hofner Bass guitar. The fine points of the wood grains and inlay piping of the guitar are featured on both the driver's and passenger's sides, including such detailing as the unique white pearloid pickguard and strings. Other special elements include a painted illustration of the Hofner head on the rear window, McCartney's signature painted on the passenger side and a subtle white insignia hand striped on the hood.

The McCartney-themed design also extends into the vehicle's interior. The custom-made seats are created to reflect the famous VOX amplifier used by the legendary musician. Lexus sourced actual VOX diamond-pattern fabric for the front seat center panels, and each one is embroidered with McCartney's signature. The center console integrates the white pearloid pickguard from the Hofner Bass guitar and a classic Shure 55 Unidyne Microphone acts as the gear shifter. A "Paul McCartney Signature RX 400h" logo authenticates the commemorative vehicle.

A giant stereo turntable has also been created to display the Paul McCartney Signature Edition RX 400h, which will be showcased at Paul McCartney concert venues from Sept. 16 through Nov. 30 and at select auto shows. McCartney fans and locals in concert cities and at auto shows across the country will have the opportunity to view this spectacular vehicle before Adopt-A-Minefield awards it to the lucky sweepstakes winner.

About Lexus

Lexus has become synonymous with luxury since its introduction in 1989. By offering some of the finest quality luxury vehicles and providing benchmark customer service, Lexus has remained the top-selling luxury nameplate in the United States for five years in a row. Lexus and its 213 dealers have repeatedly achieved high honors for both the products they sell and the customer service they provide as rated by the independent research firm of J.D. Power and Associates.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050920/LATU067-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050920/LATU067-b AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: Lexus

CONTACT: Toni Thompson, +1-310-702-0926, tonithompsonpr@verizon.net, for Lexus; or Meg Seiler of Team One Public Relations, +1-310-615-6986, meg.seiler@teamone-usa.com, for Lexus

Web site: http://www.landmines.org/wincar

Web site: http://www.lexus.com/mccartney

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