Japan’s luxurious marque Lexus is nicely on observe for an area gross sales document in 2023, after breaking its half-yearly document by a good margin.
The corporate bought 6910 automobiles throughout the primary half (H1) of this 12 months, up a whopping 75.5 per cent over the identical January to June interval in 2022.
If the corporate retains this tempo it ought to promote almost 14,000 models this 12 months – unlikely given March and June are usually huge months – however even a dramatic slowdown would see it set a brand new document.
The corporate’s all-time annual gross sales high-water mark for a full 12 months was in 2019 when it bought 9612 automobiles. It additionally broke the 9000-unit barrier in 2021 (9290) and 2016 (9027).
So what’s been doing the heavy lifting? Lexus’s MVP is the NX mid-sized SUV with 2767 gross sales year-to-date (YTD), up round 60 per cent.
This displays the restricted provide of the new-generation mannequin that made it to sellers final 12 months, that means there’s an enormous order guide to clear by way of. The NX’s 646 gross sales in June suggests that is taking place.
The equally new Lexus RX SUV, one-rung bigger than the NX, is the corporate’s second biggest-seller this 12 months with 1413 models, up almost 52 per cent YoY.
Different Lexus fashions which can be monitoring method up embody the facelifted UX with 1140 gross sales YTD (up 97 per cent) and the Toyota LandCruiser-based LX (562 gross sales, up 199 per cent).
It’s not simply SUVs which can be driving Lexus’ improved outcomes although, with the ES sedan additionally up 109 per cent to 931 models – little doubt partly filling the void left by the top of the Lexus IS.
Curiously, the high-performing Lexus fashions share a lot of their componentry with Toyota equivalents that stay stay hobbled by lack of provide.
Toyota’s gross sales are down 24 per cent and the corporate’s market share has plummeted, with the RAV4 (associated to Lexus NX) down 34 per cent, Kluger (Lexus RX) down 25 per cent, and Camry (Lexus ES) down 27 per cent.
Toyota, like many different OEMs, has prioritised manufacturing unit output of higher-profit fashions because it battles components shortages. That’s a win for its luxurious division.
Lexus isn’t the one premium model on the bounce in 2023. Audi is up 48 per cent, Genesis is up 88.1 per cent, and Land Rover is up 42.8 per cent.
Lexus’ high-performers in 2023:
- Lexus NX – 2767 gross sales, up 59.8 per cent
- Lexus RX – 1413 gross sales, up 51.6 per cent
- Lexus UX – 1140 gross sales, up 97.2 per cent
- Lexus ES – 931 gross sales, up 109.2 per cent
- Lexus LX – 562 gross sales, up 198.9 per cent
