While Lexus India’s operation can be described as low-key, the Japanese luxury firm has taken some very deliberate and important steps since its 2017 debut in India, like manufacturing locally. Furthermore, the brand will participate in the 2023 Auto Expo for the first time.
- Lexus to take part in the Auto Expo for the first time
- Will reveal the new gen RX SUV and display the updated LC500h
Speaking to Autocar India, Naveen Soni, president Lexus India said that the brand will take part in what would be its first Expo outing and the company is planning a display to wow audiences.
Taking part in the Auto Expo is certainly a much-needed step for the Japanese luxury brand as it enjoys very good brand equity in India, but low awareness of its presence here even among luxury car buyers.
The company will also use the auto show to launch the new generation RX SUV, and will also have on display the updated LC500h coupe. Both the new RX as well as the updated LC500h will replace the current generation models already on sale here.
New Generation Lexus RX SUV
The new RX is the fifth generation in the series and besides regular ICE and strong hybrids it also offers, for the first time, a plug-in hybrid option. For India, the brand will likely skip the regular ICE and plug-in options and only get strong hybrid models going by the company’s India strategy of offering only strong hybrids or self-charging hybrids as the company likes to call them.
Lexus LC500h
Lexus currently have on offer the LC500h hard top coupe powered by the 3.5-litre hybrid V6 that has a total system output of 359hp, and will display the updated model at the Expo. The LC500 is also powered by a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8, which is also the same powerplant propelling the convertible model. Both these, however, will not be part of the India line-up.
Lexus’ India operations
Since its debut, the luxury brand has added dealerships in two cities, taking the total count to six, and recently also announced a used car division. More significantly, it also started local production with a Lexus line at the Toyota plant in Bangalore – making India only the third location worldwide to produce Lexus vehicles. Interestingly, Lexus also runs an India edition of its global Lexus Design Awards and has had five Indian editions so far.
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