Rumour: Lexus to enter India in August 2016

Rumours that Toyota will introduce the Lexus brand in India have once again surfaced. According to a media report, the brand is likely to be launched in India by August 2016.

The Lexus model line-up for India is likely to include the RX compact SUV and the GS & LS sedans. To start with, all three models are expected to come with hybrid powerplants (RX 450h, GS 450h and LS 600h).

The RX 450h and GS 450h are powered by 3.5-litre V6 engines coupled to electric motors. While the RX 450h has a combined power output of 308 BHP, the engine in the GS 450h puts out 338 BHP. The LS 600h comes with a 5.0-litre V8 engine and an electric motor. It has a combined power output of 438 BHP.

Lexus is a rival for luxury brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. All three have been in India for a long time and assemble cars locally in the country, which allows them to price them lower than CBU models.

The luxury car segment has been growing in India and Toyota had been planning to bring Lexus to the country for a long time. But, the slump in the automobile sector and the high import duty on cars forced it to put off its plans.

It is not clear whether Toyota plans to assemble Lexus cars in India, but it is hoping that the Government of India supports the introduction of hybrid vehicles and offers incentives on them. The company plans to sell between 1,000 and 3,500 units a year by 2018. By 2020, it is looking at selling more than 5,000 units per year.

Source: NDTV