SHANGHAI, China — Lexus has launched its new LX 570 flagship utility vehicle in China, where the upscale Toyota brand will take on Audi and Land Rover in the rapidly expanding upper end of the SUV segment.
The imported LX 570 seats eight and is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission. In China, the retail price is $177,800.
Compared with major rivals, including Land Rover's 4.4-liter Range Rover and Audi's 4.2-liter Q7, the LX 570 has the edge not only in price, but also in engine size, length and height.
Lexus is the first premium Japanese brand to market its products widely in China. The launch of the LX 570 follows the high-profile introductions of the LS 600hL and RX 400h hybrids, which joined the already popular ES 350, GS 430 and IS 350 sedans.
In 2007, Lexus sold 20 percent more vehicles in China than its original target for the year, according to Godfrey Tse, vice general manager of Toyota Motor (China) Investment.
"China's sustained economic boom has created a diversified market demand for vehicles, which is leading the luxury-SUV market to witness rapid development," said Masashi Isogai, president of Toyota Motor China.
Sales of luxury SUVs rose 54 percent to a record 28,000 units in China last year after maintaining a double-digit sales growth over the past four years.
What this means to you: The market for SUVs, especially large luxury models, continues to escalate in China, even as sales plunge in North America. — Vivian Jin, Correspondent
The imported LX 570 seats eight and is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission. In China, the retail price is $177,800.
Compared with major rivals, including Land Rover's 4.4-liter Range Rover and Audi's 4.2-liter Q7, the LX 570 has the edge not only in price, but also in engine size, length and height.
Lexus is the first premium Japanese brand to market its products widely in China. The launch of the LX 570 follows the high-profile introductions of the LS 600hL and RX 400h hybrids, which joined the already popular ES 350, GS 430 and IS 350 sedans.
In 2007, Lexus sold 20 percent more vehicles in China than its original target for the year, according to Godfrey Tse, vice general manager of Toyota Motor (China) Investment.
"China's sustained economic boom has created a diversified market demand for vehicles, which is leading the luxury-SUV market to witness rapid development," said Masashi Isogai, president of Toyota Motor China.
Sales of luxury SUVs rose 54 percent to a record 28,000 units in China last year after maintaining a double-digit sales growth over the past four years.
What this means to you: The market for SUVs, especially large luxury models, continues to escalate in China, even as sales plunge in North America. — Vivian Jin, Correspondent
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