Lexus has long been synonymous with hybrid and plug-in-hybrid power, but the new UX 300e is its first venture into the world of fully-electric vehicles, so it’ll be up against rivals such as the new BMW iX3 and Mercedes EQC. With striking looks and a well-built interior, the Lexus UX 300e is definitely one to consider if you’re a fan of the design and appreciate a high-quality, well-made interior. Though it’s not the highest-riding of SUVs, we check out how suitable is the UX 300e for Indian road conditions.

WION Pitstop: All-electric Lexus UX 300e review

After witnessing slow down led by COVID-19 lockdowns, luxury car players are now seeing a strong revival in demand, a luxury even if expensive it has many takers. Lexus which is a Japanese automaker Toyota's luxury car brand has been upping its ante in the Indian market.

Luxury car market: Lexus upping its ante in Indian market

Japanese auto major Toyota&#39;s luxury brand Lexus entered India with the launch of three models priced up to Rs 1.09 crore (ex-showroom). Lexus introduced the RX Hybrid model priced at Rs 1.07 crore, RX F Sport hybrid at Rs 1.09 crore and ES 300h hybrid sedan priced at Rs 55.27 lakh (all prices ex-showroom).

The company also unveiled its top end SUV LX450d, but didn&#39;t announce price, along with the fifth generation Lexus LS which would be available for sales from next year.

Lexus is entering the Indian market with an aim to tap the growing number of luxury customers, specially those Toyota customers who are looking to upgrade. 
 
&quot;Toyota manufactures Camry hybrid already in India and many of the customers are looking to upgrade. Therefore, it is the right time for Lexus to enter the Indian market so that our customers don&#39;t go to other brands,&quot; Lexus International President Yoshihiro Sawa told PTI here. 
 
&quot;The Indian luxury customers are growing and it&#39;s part of our future strategy to tap them,&quot; he added. 
 
The company will start retailing the products from four dealerships - Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai and Bengaluru - to start up in the country. 
 
Additionally it will also establish service centres at Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi. 
 
Lexus India Senior Vice President Akitoshi Takemura said they will have to first see the response in the country before before taking a call on having local manufacturing in India. 
 
&quot;There is scope for local manufacturing, we support Prime Minister&#39;s &#39;Make in India&#39; initiative but for the time being we are just starting operations. We will have to see how the market functions. If volume consolidates and reach a critical level then we may think of local manufacturing,&quot; Takemura said. 
 
At present the models would be imported from Japan, he added. When asked about competition in the luxury segment with established brands like Audi and Mercedes already present for more than a decade, Takemura said the they would first like to establish in the country and would not go for big numbers.

&quot;Our pricing position is higher than JLR or German brands. We haven&#39;t set a sales target as such and would like to create Lexus brand in the country,&quot; he said. 
 
When asked about synergy with Toyota brand, he said that some of the existing dealers would also be able to provide servicing facilities to the Lexus customers as they are already experienced on providing service to Toyota Camry hybrid customers. 
 
Bullish on the Indian market, Takemura said, &quot;High net worth individuals are growing in India , getting more affluent and they are spending on luxury items.&quot; 
 
Besides, Lexus would like to provide the solution of eco friendly mobility in luxury segment, he said.

(PTI)

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Lexus enters the Indian market with the launch of three models priced up to Rs 1.09 crore

Japanese auto major Toyota's luxury brand Lexus entered India with the launch of three models priced up to Rs 1.09 crore (ex-showroom). Lexus introduced the RX Hybrid model priced at Rs 1.07 crore, RX F Sport hybrid at Rs 1.09 crore and ES 300h hybrid sedan priced at Rs 55.27 lakh (all prices ex-showroom). The company also unveiled its top end SUV LX450d, but didn't announce price, along with the fifth generation Lexus LS which would be available for sales from next year. Lexus is entering the Indian market with an aim to tap the growing number of luxury customers, specially those Toyota customers who are looking to upgrade. "Toyota manufactures Camry hybrid already in India and many of the customers are looking to upgrade. Therefore, it is the right time for Lexus to enter the Indian market so that our customers don't go to other brands," Lexus International President Yoshihiro Sawa told PTI here. "The Indian luxury customers are growing and it's part of our future strategy to tap them," he added. The company will start retailing the products from four dealerships - Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai and Bengaluru - to start up in the country. Additionally it will also establish service centres at Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi. Lexus India Senior Vice President Akitoshi Takemura said they will have to first see the response in the country before before taking a call on having local manufacturing in India. "There is scope for local manufacturing, we support Prime Minister's 'Make in India' initiative but for the time being we are just starting operations. We will have to see how the market functions. If volume consolidates and reach a critical level then we may think of local manufacturing," Takemura said. At present the models would be imported from Japan, he added. When asked about competition in the luxury segment with established brands like Audi and Mercedes already present for more than a decade, Takemura said the they would first like to establish in the country and would not go for big numbers. "Our pricing position is higher than JLR or German brands. We haven't set a sales target as such and would like to create Lexus brand in the country," he said. When asked about synergy with Toyota brand, he said that some of the existing dealers would also be able to provide servicing facilities to the Lexus customers as they are already experienced on providing service to Toyota Camry hybrid customers. Bullish on the Indian market, Takemura said, "High net worth individuals are growing in India , getting more affluent and they are spending on luxury items." Besides, Lexus would like to provide the solution of eco friendly mobility in luxury segment, he said. (PTI)

Toyota brings its luxury brand Lexus to India

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