It only took another 5 years from 2016 for Lexus to sell an extra million electrified models.
While Lexus (and its parent company Toyota) may not be grabbing headlines with its electrification efforts these days, there is nevertheless no denying that they have been in this game for quite some time already. Such is evidenced by the fact that premium Japanese automaker has recently announced that it had sold its 2 millionth electrified vehicle globally.
Rightfully claiming to be ‘pioneer of electrification in the luxury market’, the first Lexus model to receive an electrified heart is its RX400h hybrid SUV way back in 2005. The premium Japanese automaker has since then however diversified its electrified offering to the 9 models within its lineup currently, which includes both HEVs and (more recently) BEVs that are sold throughout 90 markets globally.
Delving deeper into the sales statistics between 2005 and April 2021, over a quarter of the 2 million electrified Lexus models sold globally have ended up in the United States. Europe and Japan on the other hand took in 480,000 and 401,000 units respectively in the same amount of time, with the 387,000 units sold in China rounding off its main sales markets for the premium Japanese automaker.
Moving onto the breakdown of specific models meanwhile, the RX SUV naturally spearheads the electrified Lexus sales, with a total of 518,000 units sold throughout the last 16 years. Perhaps the surprising thing however is that its ES and CT lineup came in second and third on the sales leaderboard, with an impressive 384,000 of the sedans and 372,000 of the hatchbacks making its way to owners to date.
Continuing on the topic of interesting electrified facts about Lexus, the Japanese marque claims that 33% of all models sold in 2020 were feature some form of electrification under the hood. The automaker also touts that due to its electrification efforts since 2005, it has managed to contribute to a cumulative reduction in CO2 emissions by approximately 19 tonnes. A CO2 output figure which apparently equates to approximately 300,000 passenger cars each year, for the past 15 years.
Now moving from the past and looking towards the future, Lexus is currently aiming to ‘evolve its electrification technology’ under its new ‘Lexus Electrified’ vision that was announced in 2019. To that end therefore, the automaker aims to introduce more than 10 electrified variants to the 20 new (or improved) models it plans to launch by 2025. 2025 will also see Lexus offer an electrified option across its model lineup, which should include a PHEV by the end of this year and a dedicated battery-electric vehicle by 2022.
Moving ahead 25 more years to 2050, Lexus aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle. Though to those who think that the premium Japanese marque is abandoning its petrol-burning roots, the newly launched 5.0 litre V8 IS 500 F Sport Performance would probably suggest otherwise.
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 around the world. 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 the electrification technologies such as motors, inverters, and batteries that 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 that is unmatched by conventional cars.
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
US: 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
