Lexus is an often-overlooked brand, but it is doing its part to stand out from the competition. Recently, the Japanese carmaker offered up a stunning LC 500 Convertible for charity at Pebble Beach, while a special edition of the same car called the Regatta Edition recently made waves for its "luxury marina" styling. And while progress is being made with more efficient hybrids, the brand is still looking after its customers that prefer sports cars a little more old school. However, every brand needs to focus on making money, and with a changing market come new models.

Toyota has just filed two patents for a new trademark and it could mean a new model.

The first two images represent Toyota patent for a new trademark in Europe, while the last image is for the same patent in Israel; both are for the registration of the name LBX. While the patents are very vague, the European patent indicates that the trademark is for "automobiles and structural parts thereof." This could mean a new model called the LBX, or it could be a new chassis platform, much like Volkswagen's MQB modular chassis.

Another theory is that it pertains to a new infotainment system, but such a thing would likely be registered in all markets and no patent for LBX has thus far been filed in the US.

All of this suggests that the patent is for a new model that we may not get in the States, but until more evidence supporting this theory becomes available, it's nothing more than conjecture. Whatever it is, Lexus and Toyota have been doing sterling jobs of advancing both brands and if a new vehicle is indeed on the horizon, we have no doubt that it will be something popular.

What would you like Lexus to build next? We'd love to see a successor to the LFA, complete with howling, naturally aspirated, Yamaha-tuned V10, but we have to admit - LBX wouldn't be a sexy name for such a car.