Despite the financial headwinds, Toyota’s luxurious car model Lexus expects to double its new car and SUV gross sales in India in 2023, led by a sustained reserving and demand momentum within the market. With its base in India turning into greater, Lexus is exploring the potential for assembling extra autos within the nation, together with electrical autos.

1. Lexus RX SUV India launch by May this yr
2. Lexus LM MPV being homologated for India
3. LC 500 facelift more likely to launch this yr as properly  

More made-in-India Lexus fashions incoming

Speaking on the sidelines of Lexus India’s sixth-anniversary celebrations, its president Naveen Soni advised our sister publication Autocar Professional, “The luxury car market is growing at a fast clip and Lexus too has been growing rapidly. We are confident of 2X growth this calendar year on the back of improved chip supplies. India is the only sweet spot in the region and it is set to climb to the top three markets here.”

Lexus plans to construct each its attain and product portfolio in 2023 – it has already expanded to 16 cities with 29 shops, overlaying nearly 80 % of the general market, and has one other six or seven cities on its radar. And to cater to the rising demand for SUVs, Lexus will launch the RX SUV by the tip of May, though it was initially slated to go on sale this March. Lexus will even homologate its top-of-the-line LM 500h luxurious van which was showcased at this yr’s Auto Expo. For the velocity lover, the up to date LC 500 coupe will even be made out there in the course of the yr.

“We are taking measures to broaden the portfolio, we are undertaking rapid network expansion. The brand portfolio was heavily skewed in favour of locally assembled sedans, we are adding different body styles – SUVs, vans and sportscars to bring in a different customer base and profile of buyers,” provides Soni.

Lexus fashions’ ready interval stretches upto 12 months

Due to the worldwide chip scarcity, Lexus was solely capable of serve about 40 % of its complete order guide, and the present ready interval for Lexus fashions ranges from 3 months to 12 months. Soni says, “With the supply scenario much better, the availability has improved to almost 80 percent of our average order book. We should be able to deliver cars far more quickly than last year. In a highly competitive environment, with multiple alternatives for the prospective buyers, availability of models ensures sustained improvement in market share.”

Locally assembled EVs beneath examine

A late entrant within the Indian luxurious car scene, Lexus was capable of break into the four-digit mark in its fifth yr of operation in 2022, and with plans of doubling volumes, it is going to be inching nearer to 4-5 % market share. 

Lexus India administration declined to share particular gross sales numbers, however folks within the know say it’s more likely to cross over 2,000 to 2,200 items within the present yr. With each volumes and the community rising quick, it’s considering extra native meeting.

When queried if Lexus is planning to convey EVs to India, Soni says, from the highway take a look at of electrical UX carried out a yr or so in the past, Lexus was capable of get some vital suggestions on how the product might be tailored for the Indian circumstances and necessities of the native consumers.

“There are numerous studies on EVs going on – understanding the product, adapting it, customer expectations, should it be CBU or CKD. By 2035, Lexus goes all-electric, the company is accelerating towards zero-emission vehicles globally and India will aim to keep pace with the global shift,” assured Soni.  

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