Lexus wants to increase its global sales by a quarter to 510,000 units in 2012
By Andrew, 27 Jan, 2012. 0 Comments
Lexus LF-LC Hybrid Concept
Toyota Motor Corp. is seeking to increase Lexus’ global sales by about a quarter to 500,000 or 510,000 vehicles in 2012. These are levels that Lexus had reached before the demand had plunged due to the global financial crisis. Lexus sold 404,000 vehicles worldwide throughout the world last year, from peaking in 2007 with 518,000 units sold. Lexus had been the top luxury brand in the U.S. for 12 years but it was beaten by BMW this year mainly because of the interrupted production as the result of the disaster in Japan last March.
However, another factor that also affected Lexus is its weak image in Europe and Japan, whose markets are dominated by German automakers BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. In order to take back the top spot, Lexus has decided to use a new look. Its upcoming models will have a front grille that’s shaped like a spindle. One example is the remodeled GS sedan that was recently launched in Japan last Thursday.
At the GS's unveiling in Tokyo, Kiyotaka Ise, chief officer of the Lexus group, said that the brand is hoping to achieve what rivals Mercedes, BMW and Audi have all accomplished; that is, of being “instantly recognizable on the road." This sales target was announced after Toyota raised its 2012 overall domestic sales forecast on Wednesday to 1.63 million vehicles, 6.5% higher than its previous forecast and 36% higher than last year. It anticipates that global sales will increase by 21% to 8.58 million vehicles. Competition in the luxury car market is expected to intensify with the entry of new products from Nissan Motor Co.'s Infiniti and Honda Motor Co's Acura brands as part of their goal to further establish themselves as global brands. [source: Autonews]
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