Lexus meeting challenges, exceeding expectations

Lexus, the luxury brand of Toyota, keeps making progress rebounding from the March quake and tsunami in Japan.

"With our model-year changeover and the re-filling of our pipeline, September was a transitional month for Lexus," said Mark Templin, group VP and general manager of Lexus.

"Our sales of 14,995 were actually right on plan as our dealers are selling just about every car that arrives on their lots."

The good news for the Japanese luxury car marque is that production continues to increase "and each day we have a greater variety of cars to offer customers," Templin said.

Overall production for the fourth quarter at Lexus will now be 22% higher than the fourth quarter of last year.

The RX continues to be Lexus's best seller. The company sold 5,003 RXs in September, and that number will increase each month through the rest of the year, Templin predicts based on production forecasts.

"Our Canadian plant has committed to building 40% more RXs (pictured) than outlined in our pre-earthquake fourth quarter production plan," Templin said. "Our newest model, the CT 200h, continues to exceed our expectations both in sales and in the younger buyers it is attracting."

Lexus sold 1,444 CTs in September, which is 50% higher than projected.

You can reach TN reporter Hawke Fracassa at hawkefracassa@aol.com or (248) 747-1550. Follow him on Twittter @HawkeFracassa.

Image source: Lexus