There’s nothing like a little light-hearted rivalry amongst car makers.
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During the Detroit show unveiling of the Lexus LS460 luxury saloon, Jim Press, president and COO of Toyota Motor Sales USA, revealed that the vehicle features the world’s first eight-speed automatic gearbox.
There was an audible intake of breath around the darkened room, and Press was slightly taken aback. “Yes, that’s right, eight-speed! We’re upping them one,” he said, repeating himself and deviating from the script that was later circulated to journalists.
Press clearly felt the need to ad lib a sly dig at his rivals from Germany. ‘Them’ is obviously Mercedes, and the recently unveiled all-new S-Class which comes with only seven gears.
The Toyota man was obviously in the mood for humour. Press later referred to the fact that the LS – which goes on sale in America from next autumn, and worldwide soon after – comes with sensors that measure both cabin temperature and body temperature. “I’ve been afraid to ask where that sensor goes!” he joked.
Richard Yarrow
