On July 20 Lexus hosted its second in a series of four environmental debates at Grand Central in downtown Miami. As part of the company’s Dark Side of Green series to launch its new CT 200h hybrid car, the debate pitted two environmental experts against each other in a 40-minute debate about sustainable energy and the green economy, climate change, and where the common ground is between the two sides on environmental issues.
“It’s a way to keep the conversation alive and reform the message that you can have two [seemingly] contradictory lifestyles brought together in a unique way,” said Andrea Lim, events marketing manager for Lexus.
Lexus first debuted the debate concept in March with a press event at New York's Skylight West the night before the car's official launch at the New York International Auto Show. Coordinated by Inform Ventures, the tour began at Palihouse Holloway in Los Angeles on July 8 with moderator Andy Samberg then, after stopping in Miami, headed to New York's Bowery Hotel on Tuesday with comedian Tracey Morgan. The series will wrap up at the Ivy Room in Chicago on August 5, moderated by singer Mark McGrath. Nearly 750 people attended the Miami event, which began with a 60-minute cocktail reception sponsored by Patrón.
Actor and comedian Jamie Kennedy moderated the discussion between panelists Amanda Little, an author and environmental advocate, and Christopher Horner, an author and climate-science skeptic.
Lexus is also staging a vehicle tour to follow the Dark Side of Green series that will stop in each of the four cities about three weeks after its debate and offer local customers and V.I.P.s the chance to test drive the new hybrid vehicles.
