Lexus sales top segment

The steady increase in demand for SUVs has seen the Lexus NX lead the medium luxury SUV segment with more than 20 per cent market share based on sales this year to the end of June. Lexus New Zealand is tracking 16 per cent ahead of 2014 with the NX accounting for 41 per cent of the marque’s year-to-date sales. Its combined seven model line-up features the hybrid technology of the NX300h and the all-new turbo petrol engine in the NX200t. Launched in October 2014, the NX300h with its hybrid powertrain has been well-received by Kiwis by making up 47 per cent of total NX sales so far this year, while the turbo petrol variant – the NX200t – leads with 53 per cent of NX sales after joining the line-up in February. Just one unit separates the two top-selling NX variants, the most popular NX300h Limited and the NX200t Limited. The four-cylinder, two-litre turbo petrol engine made its debut with the launch of NX200t, and is due to appear in the IS200t and RC200t later this year. Spencer Morris, Lexus’ general manager of product, says the impact of the NX is far broader than sales volume alone. “It offers a combination of dramatic styling, powertrain choice and comprehensive specification levels unparalleled in the luxury SUV segment. “The success of the NX is a great customer endorsement of this bold direction for Lexus and will be reinforced by new models released later in the year.” He adds SUVs account for more than 40 per cent of luxury car sales in New Zealand so far this year.