While Lexus has been busy adding regular updates to the cars in its current product line, their goal has also been to add new models to compete with their German rivals. One new feature is that dealers will test non-negotiable pricing with customers.
Automotive News reported that Lexus will be moving to the Toyota New Global Architecture platform in the future. Two of the Lexus models, the RC and LC 500, will get a sportier look as well. The CT, a Lexus hybrid, was completely updated in 2014 and will be moving to the new global platform. It will receive feature updates for 2016 and probably won't see any more changes until 2018 while still holding its place in the market.
Peerless #Lexus can't be beaten for reliability, says this year's @WhichUK Car Survey: https://t.co/dV2nZ1sQVn pic.twitter.com/TAbPdx3WMP— Lexus UK (@OfficialLexusUK) July 21, 2016
— Lexus UK (@OfficialLexusUK) July 21, 2016
Edmunds reported that Lexus dealers are offering Lexus Plus, and a second wave is in the works. The no haggle pricing will allow customers to get their vehicles faster, and the sales transactions will be more transparent to the customer. Matt Kaleba, Lexus national manager for Lexus future retailing and incentives said dealers were seeing outstanding results from the release of the Lexus Plus to dealers.
"We are seeing good sales results and some outstanding customer satisfaction results, all the things that we were hoping to see."
HOT OFF THE PRESS: The #Lexus IS 200t review – It's a bit of a stunner! - https://t.co/7FeHwIMgxV @OfficialLexusUK pic.twitter.com/R0G7kzVV2S— carwitter (@car_witter) July 16, 2016
— carwitter (@car_witter) July 16, 2016
Boston reported that Lexus added off-road capabilities to the GX. Lexus is often associated with luxury, elegance, and performance, and so the release of the off-road capabilities for the GX may come as a surprise. Lexus has labeled their versions of the SUV, the GX and LX as luxury utility vehicles (LUVs). The GX comes with a 4.6 liter (L) V-8 engine, 301 horsepower (HP) and 329 lbs. per foot torque. Included in the package is a trailer sway control that works in conjunction with the vehicle stability control to help handle heavy loads.
Need a new car? Call me. We can help. #FlashAutolease #BuyANewCar #LeasingCar #MercedesBenz #Lexus #933 pic.twitter.com/bL6tAvaqei— Flash Auto Lease (@flashautolease) July 16, 2016
— Flash Auto Lease (@flashautolease) July 16, 2016
Lexus of Omaha and Lexus of Lincoln, part of the Baxter Group, are two of the dealerships that are participating in the test program in the U. S. Lexus, the luxury division of Japanese auto maker Toyota, is testing the program at 11 of the 236 U. S. dealerships.
Currently, Lexus plans to release the program to a second wave of dealerships to adopt the pricing program. The program contains two components with one salesperson leading the customer through the sales process, and no haggle on both pricing and trade in, saving customers hours or even days in the sales process.
[Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images]
