More EVs equal more sales for Lexus

LEXUS Australia has credited a broadened electrified offering as part of its sales success story in 2023.

In a result the brand labelled a “major step forward”, Lexus sold a total of 15,192 new vehicles across the calendar year, eclipsing its previous best total of 9612 deliveries set in 2019.

Lexus says its bolstered hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric line-up – alongside significantly reduced customer wait-times across its volume-selling models – is behind its best-ever result.

Electrified models drove the result with a total of 9170; with 60.4 per cent of deliveries being hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) or fully electric (BEV). It is the first-time electrified powertrains have dominated the brand’s sales total.

Further, the most popular Lexus models have had wait-times reduced from over 12 months – and in the case of the popular NX350h from beyond 24 months – down to between four and six months. However, RX500h and LX model wait-times remain a challenge at 12 months or more.

Lexus Australia chief executive John Pappas said the support of the brand’s global production teams and local dealerships enabled the record result.

“Throughout the year we received a massive injection of stock across the board, particularly for hybrid-electric variants that continue to attract huge demand,” he said.

“The importance of this result is not about achieving a record; it’s about satisfying more customers while delivering a benchmark luxury experience.”

Mr Pappas said the Lexus NX was the brand’s best seller across 2023, with a total of 6875 units sold – including 3417 hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.

Further, the newly launched RX experiences “the model’s strongest demand in more than a decade” with 85 per cent of the vehicle’s total volume featuring electrified power.

Deliveries of the UX doubled over the year prior, and more LX and ES models were delivered than at any other time in their respective histories.

“I want to thank customers for their loyalty and assure them that we continue to work with our manufacturing plants to normalise supply across all our models,” he added.

Mr Pappas said he expects 2024 to be another strong year for the brand with continued healthy demand across the range.

“Exciting all-new models in the LBX and GX will launch in the first half of this year, adding diversity to our line-up and attracting new customers to the brand,” he detailed.

Lexus Australia says it is committed to electrified powertrains accounting for 80 per cent of its new car volume by 2025, on its way to 100 per cent electrified powertrains by 2030.

2023 Lexus deliveries by powertrain type: