Lexus basically started the hybridisation trend and now has the numbers to show.
When it comes to electrified luxury cars, few can come close to Lexus. While they only got to a pure electric vehicle very late in the game (just last year with the UX300e), their hybrid game has been strong since 2005. As a result, by the end of April 2021, they managed to move their 2,000,000th electrified vehicle.
The first electrified vehicle sold by Lexus was the RX400h. This was back in 2005. The hybrid RX has since taken the lead for them in terms of hybrid sales with more than 518,000 units sold. The second most popular hybrid is the ES, with 384,000 units. Despite only lasting one generation, the Lexus CT200h itself had extremely good sales numbers at 372,000 units.
The NX hybrid models were also good contenders with 285,000 units moved. Despite only arriving on the scene less than two years ago, the UX hybrids and UX electric vehicle is already making huge strides with 137,000 units sold.
The other models that have undergone electrification have cumulatively added up to 324,000 sales.
Here’s the press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
Lexus announced today that the luxury brand eclipsed the milestone of 2 million global sales of electrified vehicles at the end of April 2021.
Since the launch of the RX400h in 2005, Lexus has been a pioneer of electrification in the luxury market, and the models have continued to evolve on the mission of balancing excellent driving performance with environmental sensitivity. Lexus has continued to expand its lineup of electrified vehicles to provide a wide range of options tailored to meet the needs of our customers and society. Based on a philosophy of “right time, right product, right place,” Lexus hopes to further develop its electrified product portfolio to best respond to a varied range of energy sources and infrastructure environments encountered around the world.
As a result, Lexus now sells nine models of electrified vehicles, including HEVs and BEVs, in approximately 90 countries and regions. In 2020, 33% of the Lexus models sold globally were of the electrified variety. Since 2005, Lexus electrified vehicles have contributed to a cumulative reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 19 million tons. This reduction is equivalent to the combined CO2 output of approximately 300,000 passenger cars each year for the past 15 years. Lexus will continue to lead the steady growth of electrified vehicles and the reduction of CO2 emissions in line with our corporate mission of carbon neutrality and Sustainable Development Goals.
Under the “Lexus Electrified” vision announced in 2019, Lexus will evolve its electrification technology to realize enhanced vehicle performance characteristics and continue to provide customers with the fun and joy that the car brings. By 2025, Lexus will introduce 20 new or improved models, including more than 10 BEVs, PHEVs and HEVs. That year is also the target for the brand to offer electrified vehicle options across the entire Lexus product range. The future expectation is that the sales of electrified models will exceed that of the pure-petrol variety. In addition, by 2050, Lexus will achieve carbon neutrality throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle, such as materials, parts and vehicle manufacturing, along with logistics, driving and disposal/recycling.
In order to further accelerate the spread of electric vehicles, Lexus plans to introduce the first PHEV in a mass-market model in 2021 and a completely new model dedicated to BEVs in 2022. In addition, by utilizing using the electrification technologies such as motors, inverters, and batteries Lexus has cultivated over the year in the field of HEVs, we will create new value and driving experience unique to Lexus electrified vehicles.
Future Lexus electrified models will feature DIRECT4 and steer-by-wire systems. DIRECT4, our four-wheel-drive torque distribution technology, combines highly-precise drive force control with responsive steer-by-wire systems that greatly enhance vehicle reflexes, resulting in a high level of dynamic performance and a driving experience that appeals to all five senses.
Lexus will continue to promote all possible initiatives for the realization of a sustainable society, while at the same time pursuing both the fun and enjoyment of cars. Lexus will endeavor to develop vehicles tailored to diversifying customers’ needs.
<Cumulative sales of electric vehicles from 2005 to the end of April 2021>
Global: 2.02 million units
U.S.: 540 thousand units
Europe: 480 thousand units
China: 387 thousand units
Japan: 401 thousand units
East Asia: 138 thousand units
Others: 74 thousand units
<By model>
RX: 518 thousand units
ES: 384 thousand units
CT: 372 thousand units
NX: 285 thousand units
UX/UXEV: 137 thousand units
IS/LS/RC/LC and others: 324 thousand units
