Lexus NZ lining up loaners for Aussie owners

Transtasman visitors will be able to fly in and hook a free car for up eight days’ travel. But Kiwi Lexus owners cannot expect the same favour when heading across the ditch.

KIWI Lexus owners travelling, once conditions allow, into Australia might yet get a sweet deal set to be afforded their Aussie counterparts coming here – free use of a brand-new car from the make during their visit.

The opportunity for Lexus Australia customers subscribed to a generous support package they get (and Kiwis don’t) has elevated to allow them to make use of Lexus NZ cars as a complimentary booking service.

The just-announced opportunity is being spruiked by our neighbour as a way of supporting a travel bubble between our countries.

Lexus in NZ is looking at whether it can arrange a reciprocal arrangement, but it’s early days.

The ‘Lexus on Demand’ car-sharing opportunity is part of a pampering customer support programme called Encore Platinum that Australian owners sign into. 

It’s an extension of another ownership programme, called Lexus Encore, and is offered as standard to Australian buyers of LC, LS, LX, RC F and GS F models.

Lexus New Zealand has no equivalent, general manager Andrew Davis says.

 “NZ customers do not receive the same Encore Platinum benefits that Australian customers do as they receive a four year, unlimited km warranty, full maintenance service and Lexus Plus roadside assistance package.  

“We always assess the benefits that we provide our customers so are reviewing the Encore Platinum offering against the benefits currently offered but there is no plan to change at this stage.”

The Aussie offer allows owners of Toyota’s flagship models to book, via an app, any vehicle in the Lexus range when travelling. It's been previously limited to interstate travel - NZ is the first international tilt.

It isn’t an open slather deal - users can take no more than four trips – but is generous nonetheless as each of those trips can last up to eight days. The journeys have to be undertaken over the three-year life of the membership programme. 

The NZ aspect means Lexus owners can book and collect a loan car of their choosing from a variety of NZ airports, thereby skipping the typical rental car process.

In explaining the scheme, Lexus Australia boss Scott Thompson says: “Looking forward into 2021, there are some positive signs for the industry and for the economy, and with vaccines arriving now, we also have plans for the two-way travel bubble with New Zealand.

"Hopefully this will happen by the end of next month. We are anticipating that many Australian customers will be keen to experience international travel when the transtasman bubble opens.

“So coming later this year, we've decided to expand Encore Platinum to offer our Australian customers the luxury and convenience that is Lexus on Demand when they fly across the pitch.”

The company is yet to announce the specific airports where the service will be offered, as well as a line-up of specific models owners can access in New Zealand.

In Australia, the Lexus on Demand service typically offers owners access to a spread of multi-purpose vehicles, including the LS large limo for luxury touring, the RX and LX for utility and space and the LC and RC F for sportier drives.

The challenge in New Zealand might be having enough of those cars to provision – the LX, LS and LC in particular achieve just a handful of registrations per year.

Davis says: “We are looking to support the Lexus On Demand feature of Encore Platinum for Australian customers who visit NZ. The details are being worked through and timing and locations will be announced once confirmed.

“The offering in NZ will be the same as it is for customers travelling within Australia but we are looking to have a smaller number of practical models (e.g. RX) to better suit usage for those travelling to NZ. Once launched we will monitor usage and demand to assess the programme in NZ.”

“For Lexus NZ the commitment is in having cars available to Australian customers and working with Lexus Australia on managing bookings and the process with the highest levels of Omotenashi (a word that essentially translates to ‘Japanese hospitality’) in mind.”

As for them doing the same for us? Not at the moment.But they’re thinking about it. 

“In regard to NZ offering our customers the same access in Australia? That is under consideration and the success of the Australia to NZ offering will be a guide for demand on this.”

Lexus Australia’s Encore programme also includes loan cars while a owner’s car is being serviced, access to exclusive events and upgrades at partner hotels.