Lexus has announced additional benefits for participants in its Encore Platinum aftersales benefits program. And NZ-bound ski-bunnies listen up, this one’s made (at least in part) for you.
Encore is a wide-ranging ownership benefits program that Lexus ramped up in 2020. In 2021, it’s promising a host of additional benefits, the first of which is the availability of on-demand vehicles in New Zealand.
Upon the re-opening of the Trans-Tasman travel bubble, Lexus Encore Platinum members will be able to access Lexus vehicles free of charge for up to eight days ex-Auckland and Queenstown.
In the case of the latter, in keeping with the destination’s strong connection to winter sports, Lexus has placed a 2021 Lexus RX at owners’ ready – complete with ski racks.
The Kiwi locations join Australian domestic nodes including a significant number of Lexus dealerships nationwide, Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne and airport locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Encore Platinum members can reserve the Kiwi cars via the Lexus App. Cars are reserved on a first-in, best-dressed basis.
Aftersales programs like Lexus Encore Platinum are a new battleground for prestige and premium brands. The car-makers wax lyrical of ‘money can’t buy opportunities’ that clear money can and does buy.
Lexus says the Encore Platinum program is “guided by the Japanese hospitality art of omotenashi”.
“The principle of omotenashi includes treating customers as though they are family welcomed into our personal home – to anticipate their needs, appreciate the finer details and create authentic relationships with them,” the company states.
Lexus is flagging $100m investment by dealers into facilities around Australia to improve customer experience. Some of the dealership upgrades include fine dining and other ‘five star’ facilities.
“Lexus understands that luxury customers love to travel and this next expansion of Lexus on Demand demonstrates the art of anticipation our brand is famous for,” said Lexus Australia CEO Scott Thompson.
“We are continually renewing and refreshing our unrivalled Encore owner benefits program to provide a new level of luxury for members and ensure that Lexus remains the leader in luxury experience.”
The three-year Encore Platinum owner benefits program is standard on the 2021 Lexus UX Crafted Edition, 2021 NX Crafted Edition, 2021 RX Crafted Edition and all RC F sports coupe, LX, LC and LS flagship models.