Lexus is set to introduce an all-new Lexus ES for the 2013 model year. It’s being reported that dealers are pressuring the automaker to build the ES in North America.
Lexus is set to introduce an all-new Lexus ES for the 2013 model year. It’s being reported that dealers are pressuring the automaker to build the ES in North America. Toyota has already confirmed that it is considering building additional Lexus models in North America, but has not revealed which models could be built here.
According to Tim Morrison, vice president-sales and dealer development, there isn’t excess capacity in North America to add Lexus production, but there is enough in Japan. Currently the Lexus ES is built at Toyota’s plant in Kyushu, Japan. In the future Lexus does want to gain more market share globally, which, Morrison says would be a good time to look at North American production.
Last year Lexus sold 41,000 ES sedans, but the all-new 2013 ES, which no longer shares its basic platform with the Toyota Camry, will also debut a new hybrid version. Lexus expects the ES hybrid to draw in new customers and account for 25% of the total ES sales.
This year Lexus plans to launch nine all-new or refreshed models, which includes a new LS flagship sedan.
