Lexus builds LX Convertible toy car for special children

KUALA LUMPUR: Lexus, the luxury car division of leading Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota, has built an LX convertible toy car for special children. The company has joined hands with the New York-based Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF) to come up with the toy car. March is observed as the cerebral palsy awareness month in the US.

The special LX convertible has been built around the Japanese carmaker’s human-centric philosophy which aims at bringing the joy of mobility to differently-abled children.

Speaking about the toy car, CPF executive director Rachel Byrne, said that individuals with cerebral palsy usually don’t get the support and intervention at the time needed. CPF’s mission, she said, is to shift the paradigm and work as a catalyst to usher in a positive change through innovative partnerships and collaborations.

The special toy car is being branded as the ride-on Lexus LX. It comes with several modifications. Finley Smallwood became the first recipient of the car which has been customized to meet her needs. The car has an extra padding on the side of the seat to lend lateral support. It also comes with a fully adjustable headrest. Six-year-old girl Finley has difficulties to sit for a long period of time and the car’s seat has been modified to ensure greater comfort.

Lexus Group vice-president on product planning and strategy, Cooper Ericksen, said that his company wanted to push the boundaries. They wanted to explore what the joy of mobility could mean to a special child who hasn’t been able to experience it like most neurotypical children.

The door height of the ride-on Lexus LX convertible toy car has been raised. The car has a reduced ground clearance to enable easier egress. That aside, the vehicle has a five-point harness which keeps the child secured in place. The car has an armrest joystick for easy steering, acceleration, and direction control.

Also Read: Lexus UX 200 makes its way to Malaysia