Lexus is claiming the accolade as the fastest growing prestige brand in the UK in the first six months of 2001 with sales up 31.7% on last year.

The brand is now on course for its fifth year of increased UK sales.

The IS200 is the most popular model, with more than 4,000 sold, up 4.1% on last year, with the RX300 and GS430 accounting for more than 1,000 sales.

UK new car registrations: Jan-June 2001 prstige sector growth over 2000
Lexus 31.7%
Audi 22.3%
BMW 8.5%
Mercedes-Benz 5.6
Volvo 3%
Jaguar -3,3%
Source: SMMT