Lexus LX: 3rd Generation

The 2009 versions of the Lexus SC 430, GX 470 and LX 570 will remain unchanged save for some minor changes (all prices USD):

The 2009 model year SC 430 luxury hardtop convertible receives new side mirrors with incorporated turn signals and will have a base MSRP $66,805, an increase of 0.7 percent or $450.

The 2009 LX 570 will be available in an all-new Costa Azul Mica exterior color and will feature an available Luxury Package that includes semi-aniline leather-trimmed seats, Bubinga wood-trim, cool box, smart card key and 20-inch alloy wheels with a unique finish. The LX 570 base MSRP will be $75,705, an increase of 1.3 percent or $1,005.

The GX 470 carries over unchanged for the 2009 model year and will have a base MSRP of $47,615, an increase of 0.6 percent or $300.

This would seem to contradict the Edmunds report that the SC would be cancelled, though sales are bound to be even less than this year. Too bad about the GX, though, I was hoping for an update of some sort.

(Also announced was a $500 price increase to the 2008 RX 400h, bringing the FWD/AWD totals to $42,080 and $43,480 respectively.)

[Source: Lexus]

I had a real laugh when I stumbled on this Lexus LX 570 print ad (click for a larger version):

With a maximum towing capacity of 8,500lbs, I guess this might even be possible...

[Via: Ads of the World]

While on the topic of the Lexus LX 570, check out this super-impressive Youtube clip of the luxury-tank scaling a sand mountain:

Zero to small-white-speck in less than 10 seconds.

MyRide managed to snag one of the incredibly rare Lexus LX 570's just long enough to film this video review:

A nice overview, to be sure. I've grown into a huge fan of the new look LX. More than anything, the absolute cocoon it provides is a significant upgrade, it's more like a luxury tank than an SUV.

When you consider the climbing cost of gas in the USA (and everywhere else!), the dramatic increase in Lexus LX 570 sales has raised some eyebrows, including the Wall Street Journal, who went so far as to interview a new owner:

Karen Bean of Albany, N.Y., says she bought a Lexus LX 570 earlier this year because she likes how it looks, drives and accommodates her tall family. Having a comfortable, attractive interior and a vehicle that she enjoys driving is important enough that she is willing to accept the fuel expense. She can afford it, she says. Ms. Bean thinks that buyers of higher-end SUVs haven't altered their spending habits, despite a sluggish economy and high gas prices. "If you're buying an $80K+ car, you better be able to afford the gas that goes in it," she says.

As the article notes, even with a 150+% increase in sales, the LX has only moved 3,547 so far this year. Combine that with the fact the model has just been redesigned, and the numbers don't really seem that out-of-step.

The newly designed LX 570 is selling very well in the US. Since its introduction in January, it's been selling an average of 680 units per month. In fact, Kicking Tires has reported that there's currently only a four-day supply in inventory:

...if you want to order one today, you may have to wait up to 90 days to get one in the color you want with the options you want.

"There's only a four-days supply of LX 570s in dealer inventory nationwide," Lexus spokesman Greg Tomei said. A 60-day supply is considered normal. “We don't give the number out, but from the time it reaches the lot until it leaves the lot, the LX 570 has the quickest turn rate of any vehicle in our lineup."

Tomei said the sales forecast for the LX 570 is 9,500 units a year, and there are no plans to boost production in order to build dealer inventory. That's also about how many Range Rover SUVs that Land Rover sells.

Keep in mind this isn't due to a vehicle shortage, but a controlled inventory to avoid excess units. Also, I would expect most people buying an SUV in this price range would be looking for some specific options and colors, so having the LX 570 on dealership lots doesn't make a whole lot of sense.