Reuters is reporting that the only Lexus plant outside of Japan will also be idling its production, as the Toyota factory in Cambridge, Ontario will halt RX 350 production for five days in January.

This news comes after a report that the Lexus plants in Japan would be offline for ten days during December. Both of these moves relate directly to the massive downturn in auto sales the world over.

One fact to consider with the Cambridge plant: This week in January could also be related to the upcoming 2010 RX 350, which is expected to arrive in dealerships sometime in February 2009. I wonder, would it take a whole week to retool the factory line to accommodate a new model? Seems like a reasonable timeframe to me.

Update: According to five emails I received over the last 24 hours, it looks like I was correct. The Lexus line will be going offline in January to retool for the new 2010 RX, and not to reduce inventory.

[Source: Reuters]

With November 2008 sales up 19.1% over last year, Lexus Canada continues to see strong growth. A total of 1,152 models were sold, marking the eighth consecutive record sales month.

One interesting fact, Lexus RX 350’s are built in Cambridge, Ontario, and are marketed heavily as a Made-in-Canada product. This has resulted in an opposite purchasing effect when compared to most other countries. Check these numbers:

• 423 Canadian-built Lexus RX 350 models sold, up 57.8%
• 105 Lexus RX 400h sold, up 1.9%.

Seems like the marketing is working!

[Source: Newswire]

Lexus sales continue to grow in Canada, with October 2008 sales of 1,126 total units, a 15.8% increase when compared to 2007. What’s more, total sales for the year are up 15.6% to 12,943 vehicles sold. This number is almost equal to the annual sales of 2007, with two months still remaining!

Some other points:

• Lexus RX 350 sales are up 33.5%, with 438 sold
• Lexus RX 400h sold 129 units, for an increase of 26.5%

(On top of that, Toyota announced that Scion will begin sales in Canada starting in 2010.)

[Source: Lexus Canada]

When the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) gathered together for their annual event to name the best vehicles for 2009, they brought in two Lexus’ to compete: The IS-F in the Best New Sports/Performance Car over $50k, and the LX 570 in the Best New SUV/CUV over $60k.

The LX 570 ended up being upstaged by the Mercedes M-Class Bluetec, but the IS-F took top spot in a category that featured some very fierce competition, with the BMW M3 Coupe, Cadillac CTS-V, Jaguar XF Supercharged, Mercedes-Benz C63, and the Nissan GT-R all eligible to win.

I was particularly surprised that the GT-R didn’t race away with the honor, no matter how much emphasis is placed on “real world” testing. In fact, I’d be inclined to call this an upset, but one I’m sure Lexus Canada is very happy about.

[Source: Canadian Driver (Thanks Jarrett!)]

Continuing in on the breakdown of the 2010 Lexus RX 350, here’s a list of newly available optional equipment:

• Bi-Xenon HID Headlamps
• Automatic High Beam Feature
• Auto-dimming Rearview Mirror with Integrated Backup Camera
• Wallet-Size Card Key
• 12-Speaker Premium Audio System
• USB Audio Input
• 15-Speaker Mark Levinson Audio System
• Voice-activated HDD Navigation System
• XM Real-Time Traffic Capability
• 19-inch Alloy Wheels
• P235/55R19 Tires
• Head-Up Display
• Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)
• Driver Seat Variable Cushion Length Adjustment
• Front Passenger Seat Variable Cushion Length Adjustment
• Wide-View Side Monitor System
• Sport-Tuned Suspension
• Unique Wheel Finish
• Dual Screen Rear Seat DVD Entertainment System
• 3-Position Driver Seat Memory System
• Heated & Ventilated Front Seats

From the point-forms, it looks like the 2010 RX will be getting an option similar to the LX’s, where it will be possible to monitor the passenger-side via a mirror-mounted camera. One curious item is the Head-Up Display, can’t wait to see what an option like that entails.

As I mentioned in the previous post, due to a forwarded dealership document, I have the full breakdown of the next-generation 2010 Lexus RX 350. In that first post, I covered the specification side of things, and now here’s a list of the new standard equipment, along with the standard equipment no longer offered:

New Standard Equipment

• 18-inch Alloy Wheels
• P235/50R18 M+S Tires
• XM Satellite Radio (Factory Activated)
• Smart Entry System
• Push Button Start
• Bluetooth Capability
• Rear Seat Side Airbags
• Double Wishbone Rear Suspension
• Retractable Outside Rearview Mirrors
• Integrated Turn Signal Lamps
• Puddle Lamps
• Rear Seatbelt Pretensioners
• Hill Ascent Control (HAC)
• Temporary Spare Tire
• 6-Speed Automatic Transmission
• Sequential Shift Mode
• Active Torque Control 4WD System
• Electric Power Steering
• Multi-Information Display
• Front Passenger Knee Airbag
• Premium Fabric Seat Surfaces
• Sliding Rear Seat
• Remote Release for Folding Rear Seatbacks
• Active Front Headrests with Whiplash Protection
• Roof Mounted Satellite Fin Antenna

Deleted Standard Equipment

• Driver Foldable Armrest
• Front Passenger Foldable Armrest
• Full-Size Spare Tire
• Roof Rail Crossbars
• Full-Time 4WD System
• 2-Position Driver Seat Memory System
• Auto-dimming Side View Mirrors
• Leather Seat Surfaces

There’s definitely more good than bad looking over this list — the added airbags, push-button start, sequential shift mode, a new information display, all great additions. But at the cost of standard leather seats?

It’s all just point-form now, though, so there’s no telling just what some of these changes will actually entail.