Lexus Sets New Record with 60 Percent Annual Sales Increase
6 January 1999
Lexus Sets New Record with 60 Percent Annual Sales Increase, December Sales Up 87.9 Percent
DETROIT, Jan. 6 -- Lexus' 1998 sales of 156,260 luxury cars
and sport utility vehicles (SUV) set an all-time record, surpassing last
year's sales of 97,593 by 60 percent and 1996 sales by 90 percent. The
manufacturer placed second in the import luxury sales race.
The luxury division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. also reported
record-breaking sales in December with 16,849 units sold, an 87.9 percent
increase over the same period last year.
"This sales performance shows what can happen when a manufacturer finds
the ideal combination of products and customer satisfaction," said Bryan
Bergsteinsson, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "I mention
customers because Lexus doesn't gauge its success on sales alone. If our
customers aren't happy, then we're not a success."
Leading the charge in December was the RX 300 mid-sized luxury SUV with
sales of 5,696, its best performance since going on sale in March. The
LX 470 full-size luxury SUV also had its best month ever with 1,458 units
sold. Overall for 1998, SUVs made up more than one third of Lexus sales.
Lexus cars also had an outstanding December with LS 400 premium luxury
sedan sales of 1,615, up 5.9 percent over the same period last year. The
high-performance GS series continued its hot sales pace with 3,040 units sold,
representing a 21.1 percent increase over last December. The perennially
popular ES 300 entry level luxury sedan posted December sales of 4,823, up
2.7 percent over last year. For the year, Lexus car sales improved 13 percent
over 1997 sales.
December 1998 Year-End 1998
LS 400: 1,615 20,790
GS 400: 747 9,926
GS 300: 2,293 20,696
ES 300: 4,823 48,644
SC 400: 69 1,243
SC 300: 148 1,766
LX 450/470: 1,458 11,004
RX 300: 5,696 42,191
Total Lexus: 16,849 156,260
(figures include Hawaii)