Lexus Worldwide President Takashi Watanabe could have the tough mission of steering the model via a large EV overhaul ranging from 2026.
That is when Lexus will start launching its next-generation electrical autos, which will likely be previewed subsequent month by an idea debuting on the Japan Mobility Present.
The subsequent-generation BEV that Lexus will introduce in 2026 will likely be constructed on a modular structure, with considerably altered manufacturing strategies and a totally re-imagined software program platform, Watanabe mentioned earlier this month at a automobile and expertise showcase at Fuji Speedway.
“Now we have additionally prioritized automobile design to embody the essence of Lexus,” he advised Automotive Information. In doing so, Lexus will attempt to drive down prices by commoditizing the {hardware} as a lot as attainable to compete with world EV chief Tesla and China’s BYD.
Talking of Tesla, Watanabe didn’t shrink back from admitting that Lexus has quite a bit to study from the US EV maker.
“We have to make it simpler to construct and simplify as a lot as attainable,” Watanabe mentioned, including that it’s “vital to humbly have a look at and study from” Tesla’s achievements. “Considered one of our first steps will likely be modifying and rethinking our manufacturing strategies.”
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Lexus will profit from new manufacturing methods being developed by Toyota, together with vehicles that drive themselves via meeting strains and the adoption of giga casting methods to vastly cut back the variety of elements.
The Japanese luxurious model can also be in search of methods to make its vehicles stand out within the age of commoditized EVs. In line with Watanabe, Lexus must be extra distinctive, however first it must outline what meaning.
“If we rely solely on product alone, we in all probability cannot get so far as we have to go. We have to supply extra. After the shopper has purchased the product, what different sort of experiences are attainable?”
One technique to accomplish that’s to diversify the model lineup to attraction to regional wants, Watanabe mentioned. This has already began to occur with Lexus’ gas-and hybrid-powered autos, and it stays to be seen if the identical technique will likely be adopted for EVs.
Lexus beforehand mentioned it might be able to promoting 1 million EVs yearly in 2030, which is a large ramp-up from the present manufacturing. Toyota and Lexus mixed bought simply 25,000 EVs worldwide in 2022. Lexus solely has one EV in its present US lineup, the RZ crossover, of which it bought simply 2,068 items via August of this yr. In different markets, together with Europe, the model additionally sells the UX 300e subcompact EV.
Nonetheless, the luxurious model goals to spearhead dad or mum firm Toyota Motor’s next-generation EVs by providing an electrified possibility for each automobile in 2030, earlier than going EV-only by 2035.