A CAR which is not due out until next year kept Lexus staff busy at the Fleet Motor Show. Interest was high in IS200, the Japanese luxury maker's BMW 3-series challenger which was previewed on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show in March.

'Visitors have asked us a lot of questions about the new GS300 which was launched in January, but we've been surprised at the number of people wanting more details on our next new model,' said spokesman Mark Strong. 'I think it should win a lot of attention when it is fully revealed at the Birmingham Motor Show in October - and our anticipated annual sales of 10,000 is already looking on the conservative side.

By the time the IS200 reaches the showrooms next spring, Lexus will be operating from 56 solus dealership sites, compared with the 68 currently shared with Toyota.