Lexus Sells 652,000 Vehicles Worldwide in 2015

Lexus has announced 2015 worldwide sales of approximately 652,000 vehicles, up 12 percent from 2014 — here a region-by-region breakdown (all totals are approximate):


North America: 368,000 vehicles (12% increase)
China: 88,500 vehicles (14% increase)
Europe: 64,000 vehicles (20% increase)
Japan: 48,000 vehicles (9% increase)
Middle East: 44,400 vehicles (5% increase)
East Asia and Oceania: 30,000 vehicles (10% increase)
Other markets: 9,400 vehicles (26% increase)

The single largest jump was in Europe, where sales increased 20% to approximately 64,000 vehicles. Sales in China saw steady growth despite a market downturn, and as previously covered, North America sales increased 12% to 368,000 vehicles.

(Hybrid sales made up a significant portion of global sales, accounting for 23% overall with 149,000 vehicles.)

Lexus LC Convertible to be Introduced in 2018?

Paul Eisenstein from The Detroit Bureau is reporting that a Lexus LC convertible will be offered in 2018:

Expect to see “a number of additional variants,” according to a senior executive at Lexus, something backed up in conversations with several other officials at Lexus and its parent, Toyota.

Among the other versions of the Lexus LC 500 under development, a convertible is expected to follow about a year behind the coupe’s debut. An even higher-performance LC F is still under development, as is a hybrid version that may shatter perceptions, suggested one source, by proving that gas-electric vehicles aren’t only about saving fuel.

Introducing an LC convertible may seem an obvious choice for Lexus, but it would mark a significant moment for the brand. Lexus has long avoided low-volume models, and flagship convertibles may be the smallest segment in the entire market (outside of high-end supercars). If true, this move would be further validation of the points made by Toyota President Akio Toyoda during his Detroit speech.

As for the LC hybrid also mentioned, an earlier rumor had Lexus introducing a 470 horsepower LC 500h alongside the LC 500 in Detroit. Could the hybrid model be slated for a reveal at another auto show this year?

Gallery: Lexus NX F Sport and RC F from Vossen Wheels

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Lexus LC 500

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Lexus F Performance Team to Start Racing in February 2016

The newly announced F Performance team expects to test its new Lexus RC F race car by February, according to a new Racer interview with lead driver Scott Pruett:


“We’re on schedule, [team leader Paul] Gentilozzi has the first car, it’s taken all apart, and we’re preparing for the new season,” Pruett told RACER. “We’re working very close with Lexus of Japan, working very close with their designers, and on the implementation of new pieces being designed for the car that raced in 2015 in Japan.

“Japan is also flat-out designing a car for, I believe, 2017, and we’re aiming to be out with our car by the end of February.”

“Everyone in the United States can’t wait to go racing, to activate the promotions, and to show the commitment to motorsports. The RC F will be racing this year, and when it does, we expect to do well.”

The F Performance team will compete in some IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events in 2016, though it won’t be ready for the opening races in Daytona or Sebring. A second driver for the team has yet to be selected.