{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"May 29, 2026 | The week’s top stories and Lexus Canada’s Martin Gilbert talks luxury sales","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/may-29-2026-the-week-s-top-stories-and-lexus-canada-s-martin-gilbert-talks-luxury-sales","audioUrl":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.buzzsprout.com/2467728/episodes/19254969-may-29-2026-the-week-s-top-stories-and-lexus-canada-s-martin-gilbert-talks-luxury-sales.mp3","description":"A bridge to benefit auto; Hope for Stellantis Brampton; Honda halts Ridgeline. Plus, Director of Lexus Canada Martin Gilbert talks Lexus sales, the luxury market, electrification, the Lexus ES, sedans, and more"},"annotations":[{"startTime":116.18,"endTime":119.44,"type":"car","title":"Jeep Compass","url":"/cars/jeep/compass","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Jeep_Compass_2017_CUV_Back.jpg","quote":"...lantis last year scrapped plans to build the Jeep Compass there. Uniform says the new product pipeline is e...","canonicalId":"car:jeep:compass","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Jeep Compass is a compact SUV that’s built for everyday driving with a focus on practicality and versatility. The podcast context mentions that plans to build the Compass at a specific location were scrapped, which is important because it can influence production timing, supply, and where vehicles are manufactured. It also ties into broader product pipeline planning that automakers use to manage future model updates.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Jeep Compass is a small SUV made by Jeep for regular driving and carrying passengers. The podcast is saying that plans to build it at a certain factory were cancelled, which can affect when and where new vehicles are produced. That can change how quickly dealerships get new stock.","imageAttribution":"Alistair Fernandez (CC BY-SA 3.0)"}},{"startTime":132.2,"endTime":136.96,"type":"car","title":"Honda Ridgeline","url":"/cars/honda/ridgeline","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/2017_Honda_Ridgeline.jpg","quote":"... product front, Honda will halt production of the Ridgeline pickup. The pause will last for about 18 months. ...","canonicalId":"car:honda:ridgeline","priority":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup truck known for its car-like ride and everyday usability. In the podcast context, Honda halting production for about 18 months is significant because it affects availability, supply timing, and how long current inventory will last. It’s the kind of manufacturing decision that often comes up when brands adjust product plans or refresh schedules.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Honda Ridgeline is a pickup truck made by Honda for carrying people and cargo. The podcast is saying Honda is stopping production for a long stretch (about 18 months), which can mean fewer trucks are available during that time. That matters if you’re trying to buy one or plan around when new ones will show up.","imageAttribution":"DestinationFearFan (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":178.9,"endTime":216.5,"type":"company","title":"TD Auto Finance","url":"/glossary/td-auto-finance","quote":"At TD Auto Finance, we pride ourselves on being remarkably human and refreshingly simple,\n...\nOur flexible financing solutions and digital service options are designed to help customers get into their vehicle of choice faster.","canonicalId":"company:td-auto-finance","priority":0.15,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"TD Auto Finance is a lending arm that provides financing for vehicle purchases. The segment describes its role in simplifying the vehicle buying process through credit and funding services.","simplifiedExplanation":"TD Auto Finance helps people pay for cars by offering loans and financing options. They’re describing how they make the buying process easier."}},{"startTime":279.4,"endTime":286.5,"type":"concept","title":"year to date","url":"/glossary/year-to-date","quote":"Over 11,000 new Lexus have been delivered so far this year, year to date, which puts us in number one luxury OEM position for the beginning of the year.","canonicalId":"concept:year-to-date","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Year to date” (YTD) means performance measured from the start of the current calendar year up to the present point in time. It’s commonly used in sales reporting to show how a brand is tracking mid-year.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Year to date” means from January 1st up to now. It’s a way to report sales so far this year."}},{"startTime":286.5,"endTime":286.5,"type":"concept","title":"OEM","url":"/glossary/oem","quote":"Over 11,000 new Lexus have been delivered so far this year, year to date, which puts us in number one luxury OEM position for the beginning of the year.","canonicalId":"concept:oem","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"OEM stands for “original equipment manufacturer,” meaning the company that builds the vehicles sold under its brand. In sales rankings, “OEM position” refers to how that automaker is performing versus other automakers.","simplifiedExplanation":"OEM means the original company that makes the vehicles. When they say “OEM position,” they mean how that automaker ranks in sales."}},{"startTime":293.8,"endTime":303.9,"type":"term","title":"electrification","url":"/glossary/electrification","quote":"we will be able to continue on that trend. Okay. Now electrification has always been\n[298.4s] a big part of Toyota's strategy, but also it's a big part of what Lexus wants to do with the brand.","canonicalId":"term:electrification","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In automotive, electrification means shifting from purely gasoline power to electric power in some form—typically hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles. When a brand says it’s “leading in electrification,” it usually refers to how quickly and broadly it’s rolling out those electrified powertrains.","simplifiedExplanation":"Electrification is the move from gas-only cars to cars that use electricity too. That can mean hybrids, plug-in hybrids, or fully electric cars."}},{"startTime":303.9,"endTime":310.3,"type":"term","title":"EV industry","url":"/glossary/ev-industry","quote":"So is that still on track in all the pressures that are facing the electric and EV industry?\n[310.3s] Yes, absolutely.","canonicalId":"term:ev-industry","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“EV industry” refers to the ecosystem of battery-electric vehicles, including automakers, suppliers, charging infrastructure, and regulations. It’s often discussed in terms of adoption rates, battery supply, pricing, and consumer demand.","simplifiedExplanation":"“EV industry” just means the world of fully electric cars—who makes them and how people are starting to buy them."}},{"startTime":320.0,"endTime":336.4,"type":"term","title":"iBritz version","quote":"As we all know that 72% of all the vehicle we sell are manufactured here in Ontario at Toyota\n[329.7s] Motors Manufacturing, including our iBritz version.","canonicalId":"term:ibritz-version","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.45,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“iBritz” appears to be a Lexus/Toyota-branded name for a specific electrified offering or program tied to production in Ontario. In this context, it’s being counted among the vehicles manufactured locally, so it’s likely an electrified variant rather than a separate car model.","simplifiedExplanation":"“iBritz” sounds like a special Lexus/Toyota electrified version or program. In this segment, they’re using it to say those cars are also built in Ontario."}},{"startTime":354.5,"endTime":360.9,"type":"term","title":"JD Power, number one luxury brand","url":"/glossary/jd-power-number-one-luxury-brand","quote":"Yes, absolutely. Our year to date sales percentage is 60%. So we're ahead of our plan.\n[320.0s] As we all know that 72% of all the vehicle we sell are manufactured here in Ontario at Toyota\n[329.7s] Motors Manufacturing, including our iBritz version. We're very pleased. We're bringing\n[336.4s] obviously new electrified models. It's part of our strategy. We're a leader in electrification.\n[343.0s] We've been a leader in electrification for over 20 years, and we're going to continue to lead\n[349.1s] in that space. Speaking of leading, you're also leading in the awards space as well. Tell me a\n[354.5s] little bit about that. Yes, we've won for the sixth consecutive year the JD Power, number one luxury\n[360.9s] brand, plus multiple JD Power recognitions in the segment","canonicalId":"term:jd-power-number-one-luxury-brand","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"J.D. Power is a well-known automotive research and ratings company. When Lexus cites “J.D. Power number one luxury brand,” it’s referring to a ranking based on survey data (often tied to ownership experience, quality, or customer satisfaction) rather than a simple sales metric.","simplifiedExplanation":"J.D. Power is a company that surveys car owners and publishes rankings. Saying “number one luxury brand” means Lexus scored best in that kind of survey-based rating."}},{"startTime":360.9,"endTime":369.8,"type":"term","title":"vincentric awards","url":"/glossary/vincentric-awards","quote":"brand, plus multiple JD Power recognitions in the segment and some vincentric awards also for\n[369.8s] resale value.","canonicalId":"term:vincentric-awards","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Vincentric is an automotive analytics and awards organization known for evaluating vehicle cost and ownership metrics, including projected resale value and total cost of ownership. In this segment, it’s being used as evidence that Lexus performs well financially over time.","simplifiedExplanation":"Vincentric is a company that studies car ownership costs and value over time. Here, they’re citing Vincentric awards related to resale value."}},{"startTime":369.8,"endTime":377.1,"type":"term","title":"resale value","url":"/glossary/resale-value","quote":"brand, plus multiple JD Power recognitions in the segment and some vincentric awards also for\n[369.8s] resale value. It is actually the benchmark and trademark of Lexus reliability and resale value,","canonicalId":"term:resale-value","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Resale value is how much a vehicle is expected to be worth when it’s sold later (often after a few years). It’s commonly used as a proxy for perceived quality, durability, and demand in the used-car market.","simplifiedExplanation":"Resale value is what the car is likely to be worth when you sell it later. Higher resale value usually means the car holds up well and stays in demand."}},{"startTime":377.1,"endTime":382.5,"type":"term","title":"cost of ownership","url":"/glossary/cost-of-ownership","quote":"resale value. It is actually the benchmark and trademark of Lexus reliability and resale value,\n[377.1s] cost of ownership, which is low.","canonicalId":"term:cost-of-ownership","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Cost of ownership is the total expense of running a vehicle over time, typically including fuel/energy, maintenance, repairs, insurance, and depreciation. It’s often used to compare how expensive different cars are to keep.","simplifiedExplanation":"Cost of ownership is the total cost to own and run a car over time, not just the purchase price. It includes things like maintenance and how much the car loses value."}},{"startTime":382.5,"endTime":395.3,"type":"place","title":"San Diego","url":"/glossary/san-diego","quote":"So let's talk a little bit about what we're here for this week in San\n[387.9s] Diego. The ES, which operates in a segment that is not the busiest segment.","canonicalId":"place:san-diego","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"San Diego is a major city in Southern California and a common location for auto events and media presentations. Here, it’s the setting for Lexus’s ES discussion and announcements.","simplifiedExplanation":"San Diego is a city in Southern California. The hosts mention it as the place where Lexus is presenting the ES news."}},{"startTime":415.3,"endTime":451.9,"type":"car","title":"LS","url":"/cars/lexus/ls","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Lexus_LS%2B_Concept_Tokyo_Motor_Show_2017_PB031744.jpg","quote":"So ES was one of the two original\n[408.3s] vehicles that Lexus launched in 1991 in Canada, which was obviously the LS, the\n[415.3s] flagship, the vehicle that reimagined the luxury industry, and the ES. We are introducing today our eighth\n[422.4s] generation ES.","canonicalId":"car:lexus:ls","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Lexus LS is the brand’s flagship luxury sedan, historically positioned as the top-of-the-line model. In this segment, Lexus says the LS will be disappearing at the end of the year, and the ES is expected to take a portion of that luxury-sedan demand.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Lexus LS is Lexus’s top luxury sedan. In this episode, they’re saying the LS is ending soon, and the ES will pick up some of the market it leaves behind.","imageAttribution":"Kestrel (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":422.4,"endTime":451.9,"type":"term","title":"eighth generation ES","url":"/glossary/eighth-generation-es","quote":"We are introducing today our eighth\n[422.4s] generation ES. So far in a 35-plus year, we've sold over 68,000 units.","canonicalId":"term:eighth-generation-es","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “generation” is a major redesign cycle for a model, typically involving updated styling, engineering changes, and new powertrain options. Saying the ES is in its eighth generation signals a full model evolution rather than a minor refresh.","simplifiedExplanation":"A “generation” is basically the model’s big redesign era. The eighth generation means it’s a newer, more thoroughly updated version of the ES."}},{"startTime":451.9,"endTime":458.8,"type":"term","title":"multi-platform vehicle","url":"/glossary/multi-platform-vehicle","quote":"the ES will take a portion of that\n[451.9s] segment or category with all the enhancement we're making on the new ES, including the first-ever\n[458.8s] multi-platform vehicle will be available still with an hybrid version or a brand new BEV version,","canonicalId":"term:multi-platform-vehicle","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “multi-platform vehicle” is built to support more than one powertrain or configuration using shared underlying architecture. In this case, Lexus is saying the new ES will be able to be offered in hybrid form and also as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV).","simplifiedExplanation":"A “multi-platform” car is designed so the same basic vehicle can be made with different powertrain types. Here, they’re saying it can come as a hybrid or as a fully electric car."}},{"startTime":458.8,"endTime":466.28,"type":"term","title":"BEV","url":"/glossary/bev","quote":"including the first-ever\n[458.8s] multi-platform vehicle will be available still with an hybrid version or a brand new BEV version,","canonicalId":"term:bev","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"BEV stands for Battery-Electric Vehicle. It means the car is powered entirely by an electric motor using a battery pack, with no gasoline engine.","simplifiedExplanation":"BEV means fully electric car. It runs on electricity stored in a battery, not on gasoline."}},{"startTime":466.56,"endTime":473.5,"type":"term","title":"all-wheel drive","url":"/glossary/all-wheel-drive","quote":"including all-wheel drive on the hybrid as standards and optional on the electrified\n[473.5s] or the BEV versions.","canonicalId":"term:all-wheel-drive","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"All-wheel drive (AWD) sends power to all four wheels, improving traction when roads are slippery or uneven. In this segment, AWD is discussed as being available on the hybrid and on electrified/BEV versions, which matters because it changes how the car handles in real-world winter conditions.","simplifiedExplanation":"All-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels. That usually helps it grip better on snow, ice, or wet roads."}},{"startTime":534.1,"endTime":550.2,"type":"term","title":"hybrid","url":"/glossary/hybrid","quote":"and we've got three types of powertrain. Like I said earlier, we have the hybrid\n[540.0s] that's as a starting price of $59.9 and we have a hybrid, electric, battery electric BEV,","canonicalId":"term:hybrid","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A hybrid powertrain combines an internal-combustion engine with an electric motor and battery to improve efficiency and smoothness. In this segment, the ES hybrid is positioned as part of the lineup with a starting price, and it’s also discussed alongside BEV options.","simplifiedExplanation":"A hybrid uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The car can use electricity part of the time to help with efficiency and smooth driving."}},{"startTime":550.2,"endTime":563.6,"type":"term","title":"VIP package","url":"/glossary/vip-package","quote":"battery electric all-wheel drive, including our first-ever VIP package\n[556.4s] that will take a little bit the gap from the LS or the extra luxury sedan, including some","canonicalId":"term:vip-package","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A package in automotive terms is a bundled set of options (like trim, tech, or comfort features) sold together for a specific price. The speaker specifically calls out a “VIP package” on the ES, describing it as adding amenities intended to move the car closer to the Lexus LS experience.","simplifiedExplanation":"A “package” is a bundle of upgrades you can add to a car. The “VIP package” here sounds like a higher-end bundle of features and comfort items."}},{"startTime":550.2,"endTime":556.4,"type":"term","title":"front-wheel drive","url":"/glossary/front-wheel-drive","quote":"battery electric all-wheel drive, including our first-ever VIP package\n[556.4s] that will take a little bit the gap from the LS or the extra luxury sedan, including some","canonicalId":"term:front-wheel-drive","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Front-wheel drive (FWD) sends power to the front wheels, which typically packages the drivetrain efficiently and can help with predictable traction in everyday driving. The segment notes a BEV FWD configuration as part of the ES powertrain lineup, alongside an AWD BEV option.","simplifiedExplanation":"Front-wheel drive means the front wheels do the work of moving the car. It’s common on many cars and can be good for everyday traction."}},{"startTime":608.9,"endTime":616.9,"type":"concept","title":"conquests","url":"/glossary/conquests","quote":"We expect to have a very good success rate in regards to repeat\n[608.9s] buyers. We're also trying to do some conquests a little bit, therefore to design the styling,","canonicalId":"concept:conquests","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In auto sales strategy, “conquests” means winning customers away from competing brands rather than only selling to people who already want that same brand. The speaker says Lexus is trying to “do some conquests” by using styling, refinement, and technology to attract new buyers.","simplifiedExplanation":"In car marketing, “conquests” means convincing people who were considering other brands to switch to this one. It’s about stealing sales from competitors, not just keeping existing customers."}},{"startTime":616.9,"endTime":632.1,"type":"topic","title":"sales ratio","url":"/glossary/sales-ratio","quote":"We expect in sales, talking about\n[622.8s] sales ratio, to do 50% hybrid, 50% BEV and we hope by the end of the year to surpass the\n[632.1s] over 1,000 units.","canonicalId":"topic:sales-ratio","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This segment discusses the expected split of sales between hybrid and BEV versions of the ES. That “sales ratio” is a planning target that reflects how Lexus expects customers to choose between electrified powertrains.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re talking about their sales target for how many buyers will choose hybrid versus fully electric versions. It’s basically a forecast of what mix of powertrains they’ll sell."}},{"startTime":650.3,"endTime":657.9,"type":"term","title":"million kilometers","url":"/glossary/million-kilometers","quote":"we see them often at the airports with a million kilometers, often with many original equipments.","canonicalId":"term:million-kilometers","priority":0.35,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Million kilometers” is used here as a reliability benchmark for vehicles used in demanding fleet duty. It signals that the hybrid Lexus models can accumulate extremely high mileage while still being maintained with original equipment.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Million kilometers” is just a way of saying the cars are racking up extremely high mileage. In this context, it’s meant to show the vehicles are holding up well in real-world fleet use."}},{"startTime":657.9,"endTime":663.6,"type":"term","title":"original equipments","quote":"often with many original equipments. It is very impressive.","canonicalId":"term:original-equipments","priority":0.3,"confidence":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Original equipments” here likely means original equipment components—parts that are still factory-installed rather than replaced early. The point is that these fleet Lexus vehicles are still running with much of their initial hardware after very high mileage.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Original equipments” means the car is still using a lot of its original factory parts. The speaker is using that as evidence the vehicle is staying dependable over time."}},{"startTime":663.6,"endTime":670.0,"type":"concept","title":"Fleet space","url":"/glossary/fleet-space","quote":"It's a good test bed obviously, but it is a small volume. We hope to be able to maintain that in the Fleet space.","canonicalId":"concept:fleet-space","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Fleet space” refers to selling vehicles to businesses that operate many cars for work—like rentals, corporate fleets, or airport/transport operators. Fleet buyers often care heavily about durability and predictable running costs, which is why the discussion highlights high-mileage examples.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Fleet space” means selling cars to companies that use vehicles for business purposes. Those buyers usually want cars that last a long time and don’t cost a fortune to operate."}},{"startTime":683.4,"endTime":692.5,"type":"term","title":"conquesting","url":"/glossary/conquesting","quote":"You talked about conquesting and where customers might potentially come from and we talked about this this morning. What's the plan for conquest programs,","canonicalId":"term:conquesting","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Conquesting in automotive marketing means trying to win customers away from competing brands. The segment discusses “conquest programs” as official efforts to entice buyers to switch, rather than relying only on general brand awareness.","simplifiedExplanation":"Conquesting is when a car company tries to get people who already drive another brand to switch to them. Here they’re talking about programs meant to encourage that kind of brand switch."}},{"startTime":812.0,"endTime":821.0,"type":"car","title":"Lexus IS","url":"/cars/lexus/is","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/2013_Lexus_IS_350_F_Sport_GSE31.jpg","quote":"we have the IS today, we've got the new ES, we still have the UX and the NX, which are like entry-level vehicle that I think we need to continue to focus on those elements of product","canonicalId":"car:lexus:is","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Lexus IS is a compact luxury sedan that Lexus uses as its entry point into the brand. In this segment, Martin Gilbert frames it as part of Lexus’s “entry level” lineup meant to attract Canadian buyers before they move up to larger, more expensive models.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Lexus IS is a smaller luxury car that Lexus sells to bring new shoppers into the brand. The host is saying it’s one of the models they want Canadians to consider first.","imageAttribution":"Ethan Llamas (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":812.0,"endTime":821.0,"type":"car","title":"Lexus ES","url":"/cars/lexus/es","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Lexus_ES_%28XV70%29_01.jpg","quote":"we have the IS today, we've got the new ES, we still have the UX and the NX, which are like entry-level vehicle that I think we need to continue to focus on those elements of product","canonicalId":"car:lexus:es","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Lexus ES is a midsize luxury sedan known for comfort-focused driving and strong mainstream appeal. Here, Lexus Canada’s Martin Gilbert mentions the “new ES” as part of the brand’s entry-level strategy to pull customers toward Lexus and then upsell to higher-priced models.","imageAttribution":"Jengtingchen (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":812.0,"endTime":821.0,"type":"car","title":"Lexus UX","url":"/cars/lexus/ux","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Lexus%2C_Paris_Motor_Show_2018%2C_Paris_%281Y7A1795%29.jpg","quote":"we have the IS today, we've got the new ES, we still have the UX and the NX, which are like entry-level vehicle that I think we need to continue to focus on those elements of product","canonicalId":"car:lexus:ux","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Lexus UX is a compact luxury crossover, positioned as one of Lexus’s smaller entry models. Gilbert groups it with the IS and ES as part of the lineup Lexus wants to emphasize in Canada to resonate with buyers before they move to larger, more expensive vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Lexus UX is Lexus’s smaller luxury SUV/crossover. The interview is saying Lexus wants to focus on cars like this to bring people into the brand.","imageAttribution":"Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":812.0,"endTime":821.0,"type":"car","title":"Lexus NX","url":"/cars/lexus/nx","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/2021_Lexus_NX_300h_Business_Edition_Krakow.jpg","quote":"we have the IS today, we've got the new ES, we still have the UX and the NX, which are like entry-level vehicle that I think we need to continue to focus on those elements of product","canonicalId":"car:lexus:nx","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Lexus NX is a compact luxury crossover that sits above the UX in Lexus’s lineup. In this segment, it’s included in the “entry-level” set Gilbert says Lexus Canada must keep focused on to attract Canadian consumers and then guide them to higher-end models.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Lexus NX is a small luxury SUV/crossover. Lexus is using it as part of its entry lineup to attract buyers in Canada.","imageAttribution":"Pawelweg (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":908.3,"endTime":916.0,"type":"car","title":"Lexus TZ","quote":"By the end of the year, we're planning to have 11th because we will be introducing another SUV, fully electrified, the TZ, which will be our fourth three-row SUV.","canonicalId":"car:lexus:tz","priority":0.8,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Lexus TZ is described here as a fully electrified SUV that Lexus plans to introduce by the end of the year. Gilbert also positions it as the fourth three-row SUV in Lexus’s lineup, making it a notable upcoming product for the brand’s electrification push in Canada.","simplifiedExplanation":"Lexus TZ is an upcoming Lexus SUV that will be fully electric. The speaker says it’ll be Lexus’s fourth SUV with three rows of seats."}},{"startTime":912.0,"endTime":916.0,"type":"term","title":"three-row SUV","url":"/glossary/three-row-suv","quote":"the TZ, which will be our fourth three-row SUV. So it is very exciting and it's, I guess, a promise that we've made to the Canadians","canonicalId":"term:three-row-suv","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “three-row SUV” is a larger sport-utility vehicle layout with seating for three rows (typically up to 6–8 passengers). Gilbert uses this as a product-structure point, saying the Lexus TZ will be the fourth three-row SUV in the brand’s electrified lineup.","simplifiedExplanation":"A three-row SUV is a bigger SUV with seats in three rows, meant for more passengers. The interview is saying Lexus will add another electric one with that seating layout."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Automotive News Canada","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/may-29-2026-the-week-s-top-stories-and-lexus-canada-s-martin-gilbert-talks-luxury-sales/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}