Sales Reports

According to the Business Times, Singapore’s allocation of 2 Lexus LFA supercars has been “sold at speed of light” - being spoken for even before the price was announced. Lexus Borneo Singapore received deposits of SGD$80,000 shortly after the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays from two undisclosed customers. The LFA’s price in Singapore has since been announced as SGD$1.25 million, which is approximately equivalent to US$893,300.  With sixteen prospective customers expressing interest, Lexus executives in Singapore hope to increase their country’s allocation of the Japanese supercar.

Who are the lucky future LFA owners?  Lexus’ Singapore head William Choo would not disclose their names, but did reveal the following: both are “very successful businessmen but very unassuming”, “run their own companies”, are in their 60s, and “are very low profile and do not want to be identified.”  Other details: one is a longtime owner of Lexus LS sedans, the other has had multiple Lexus vehicles, and both own Porsche and Ferrari models.

[Source: Asia One Motoring]

The New York Times (and many other outlets) is reporting that the Lexus CT 200h will start with a €21,000 when it goes on sale in Europe next year.

The natural question turns to how that translates into the North American price—a direct, euro-to-dollar conversion would currently mean a starting MSRP of $28,755 USD, putting it just over the top-end $28,070 USD Toyota Prius V.

However, when you consider the higher price of vehicles in Europe, it starts to tell a different story—some examples:

• The Audi A3 2.0 TDI Automatic has a base price of €26,700, or $36,560; in the USA, the same Audi A3 retails for $29,950 USD—meaning that the U.S. price is only 81.9% of the German price.
• The base model price of a Toyota Prius is €25,450, or $34,571 USD; in the USA, the top-end Prius is $28,070 USD—the U.S. price is 81.1% of the German price.
• The Lexus RX 450h retails for €50,159, or $68,135 USD; in the USA, the RX 450h AWD is $44,275 USD—so the U.S. price is 64.9% of the German price.

Ignoring the RX 450h and sticking with A3/Prius’ 81%, the rumored €21,000 price tag on the CT 200h would translate into a U.S. MSRP of $23,550 USD, a total that’s beyond ridiculous—but then, looking at the price of a German Prius would have ended the argument right there. Could the CT 200h really be less expensive than a Prius in Europe?

(In the end, I think $28,070 in the USA is more likely than €21,000 in Europe.)

[Source: NY Times]

USA

The February sales numbers for Lexus USA are in:

Lexus outperformed analyst forecasts for the US market in February, posting a 5.2% overall sales increase despite persistent media coverage of the recalls involving its parent company, Toyota (which itself posted a 10.3% decrease in sales).  Some reports had forecast a double-digit drop in Lexus sales, but this turned out not to be the case.  Sales increases were led by the newly released GX 460, up 185.5%; the refreshed LS line also saw a 14.1% sales jump.

There were single-digit declines for the ES, IS, RX, and LX lines, while the GS sedans and the outgoing SC 430 exhibited the biggest sales drops. With the more expensive LS line outselling the GS, Lexus is likely looking forward to the next generation replacement for its midsize sport sedan. Approximately 360 units separated sales of the ES and IS lines, showing the entry sport model’s strength as it approaches the success of Lexus’ longtime sedan best-seller.

Canada

Lexus Canada also enjoyed its best February ever with 902 units sold, up 26.2% from last year.  The best-selling RX 350 accounted for 412 units, up 49.3% from last year.  Lexus has seen significant growth in Canada, with year-on-year sales increases through the past decade; 2010 looks to be continuing that trend.

[Source: PR Newswire, USA & Canada]

I had a chance at last week’s Toronto Auto Show to have a quick chat with Toyota Canada’s Managing Director, Steven Beatty, about the growing Canadian Lexus sales and the possibility of a production LF-Ch coming to Canada (keep in mind that this conversation took place before Lexus’ announcement of the CT 200h).

TLE: In January, Lexus Canada had a 62% sales increase, and I was curious what you would attribute that to.

Stephen Beatty: I attribute it to good product! (laughs)

TLE: That’s a good answer!

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Edmund’s Inside Line is reporting that the new Lexus CT 200h may not be coming to the USA:

The curious got a first glance at the Lexus CT 200h on Friday via a teaser shot of the car’s cat’s-eye taillight, ahead of the full hybrid compact’s debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March. But U.S. consumers are unlikely to see this Lexus in their driveway anytime soon, Toyota told Inside Line.

“There are no plans, at present, to bring this vehicle to the U.S.,” said Toyota spokesman Curt McAllister in response to an e-mail query from IL.

Knowing that compact hatchbacks don’t typically perform well with American consumers AND with the HS 250h already on sale filling the “entry-level hybrid” role in the U.S. lineup, it’s not that difficult to see Lexus USA’s reasoning, at least in the short term. The 1.8L I4 engine might also be figuring into the decision—I would wouldn’t be surprised to see Lexus USA waiting until the engine options are increased and something more powerful is available.

[Source:Edmunds]

USA

The January sales numbers for Lexus USA are in:

Note: There were 24 selling days this month, compared to 26 selling days last January.

The new second generation GX 460 started arriving in dealerships and posted 1,529 sales in its first sales month, a 163.8% increase over January of 2009—a strong start when you figure supply was likely limited. I’m even more impressed by the effect the LS mid-cycle refresh has done for sales (I’d sure like to see a breakdown between the LS, LS Sport & LSh). The only other model to show a percentage increase is the ES, which has yet to show any ill effects from its December recall.

Inexplicably, the GS has continued to see a sales decrease with only 529 units sold, and the situation is unlikely to improve with the new Mercedes E-Class & BMW 5-Series to compete against. As my favorite car in the lineup, I’m at a loss to explain the poor GS sales—though on the flipside, this may push fast track the next-generation GS if this trend keeps up.

Canada

Lexus Canada had an extremely strong month, with sales up 62.1%, or 953 units for the month from 588 for the same period a year earlier. That’s staggering growth, and proof that Lexus is gaining a strong foothold in the Canadian marketplace.

[Source: Vancouver Sun]