Lexus Australia is turning up the heat in the aftersales space, announcing an expansion of its Lexus Encore Owner Benefits program.
The Japanese luxury marque has now expanded its program into two membership tiers – Encore and Encore Platinum – the latter bringing new options including “pioneering travel benefits”.
Lexus Encore Platinum is standard with RC F, GS F, LC, LS and LX models, building on the existing program by added several new initiatives such as valet parking at participating shopping centres, as well as the option to swap into other Lexus vehicles at select airports and dealerships (Lexus on Demand).
The latter gives members up to four trips, up to eight days each, access to another Lexus vehicle of their choice when travelling during the three-year membership period.
For example, owners of a Lexus LS can swap into an RX L or LX should they require seven seats or some off-road ability.
The company says Lexus on Demand fleet will include most of its models, with a focus on the RX, RC F, GS F, LX, LC and LS. Vehicle reservations are accessible through the Lexus App, with selected airports and dealerships available as pick-up points.
Lexus on Demand is similar in concept to programs offered by other manufacturers like Ford and its 2nd Car program.
As noted earlier, Lexus Encore Platinum members will also get included access to valet parking at participating shopping centres across Australia – including Melbourne’s Chadstone Shopping Centre and select Westfield Shopping Centres.
Owners will be able to redeem eight valet parking vouchers during the three-year membership period, with up to three hours of complimentary parking each visit. Like Lexus on Demand, the valet parking offer is available through the Lexus App.
Beyond the new ‘Platinum’ membership Lexus Encore members also get new benefits announced this week, including a permanent fuel discount offer of 5c/litre off premium unleaded and diesel fuels at participating Caltex service stations – with vouchers accessed via the Lexus App.
The above additions to the Lexus Encore portfolio bolster the already impressive ownership offering from the luxury brand, including invitations to exclusive dinners, events and hotel stays, as well as capped-price servicing, a free service loan vehicle during scheduled maintenance, and Lexus DriveCare premium roadside assistance
While the service benefits are matched by an increasing amount of brands in the mainstream and premium segments, Lexus dealers will go a step further to personally pick up and drop off an owner’s vehicle before and after service work should a loan car not be required. Lexus will also wash and vacuum the vehicle after each service.
Meanwhile, the roadside assistance program includes complimentary breakdown towing as required to a Lexus dealer or nominated technical centre, as well as a courier service for urgent small parcels or documents, and a Personal Assist service for when owners experience a vehicle-related incident over 100km from home and their Lexus is immobile for more than 24 hours.
Lexus also offers a one-way metropolitan taxi fare up to $150 (including GST) and clothing and personal effects cover up to $250 (including GST). Off-road patrols are available for LX and RX all-wheel drive variants should they be required, too.
“Lexus understands that this year we have been challenged to reassess how we spend our time in the short term, and how meaningfully we use it going forward,” said Scott Thompson, Lexus Australia’s CEO.
“This period has crystallised our view that the Lexus approach to customer care should be even further extended, to both save time for Lexus Encore members and allow them to savour time with amazing experiences.”
“With the Lexus Encore premise being the luxury of time, we needed to develop a Lexus App that made accessing experiences, servicing, Lexus on Demand and fuel or valet parking vouchers as effortless as possible,” Mr Thompson continued.
“The integration of Lexus Encore, Lexus Encore Platinum and the Lexus App delivers the premium user experience befitting a luxury lifestyle brand.”
A three-year subscription to the Lexus Encore program is included with the purchase of all new Lexus models – including CT, IS, ES, GS, RC, UX, NX and RX – with Lexus Encore Platinum standard with LC, LS, LX, RC F and GS F vehicles.
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