Lexus Malaysia aims to sell 400 luxury SUV this year

PETALING JAYA: Lexus Malaysia, a division of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, is targeting sales of more than 400 Lexus luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) this year.

UMW Toyota president Ismet Suki is confident of achieving the target.

"I am confident that the new Lexus RX 350 F Sport together with the RX 270, RX 350 and RX 450h will continue to appeal to its core group of customers as well as attract new customers to experience the Lexus brand," he said.

Ismet was speaking to reporters after launching the Lexus RX Luxury Crossover here yesterday.

Also present were UMW Toyota chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin and UMW Holdings Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir.

"Since the Lexus RX introduction in Malaysia, we have sold close to 1,100 units as at April 2012, which contributed to 32 per cent of the total Lexus sales in Malaysia," Ismet said.

The RX range is the most popular and the best-selling vehicle in its segment.

Overall, Lexus is the market leader in the large luxury SUV segment, with 35 per cent share.

Ismet said the new, improved Lexus RX fits right into an active lifestyle with a sophisticated blend of the comfort in a luxury car with the driving pleasure of an SUV.

It is the second Lexus model that continues to refine the "L-Finesse" design philosophy by debuting the latest interpretation of the new Lexus "spindle grille" first seen on the all-new Lexus GS, which was launched in March 2012.

The third generation Lexus RX was launched in Malaysia in March 2009 as a single variant, the Lexus RX 350. Since then, the range has grown with the addition of the Lexus RX 270 and Lexus RX 450h.

"Together, the trio represent a complete model range for individual needs of each customer," Ismet said.

The sporty new appearance and the comfortable plush interior of the new improved Lexus RX are matched to the engines that it uses.

The RX 270 is powered by a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 185bhp and 252Nm of torque.

The RX 350 and RX 350 F Sport are equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that provides an impressive 274hp.

The Lexus RX 270 sells at RM359,800 and the RX 350 is priced at RM399,800, while the RX 350 F Sport and hybrid RX 450h are priced at RM409,800 and RM525,000 respectively.