Toyota may be growing a brand new Lexus-branded three-row electrical SUV. The Japanese carmaker filed 4 new trademark purposes with the European Union Mental Property Workplace (EUIPA) on July 19, 2023, for various variations of the Lexus TZ, as per the Lexus RX House owners discussion board.
The model is hoping to trademark 4 names, together with TZ450e and TZ550e. When you’re acquainted with Toyota and Lexus nomenclature, you’d know that ‘Z’ connotes BEVs. Toyota has the bZ4X, whereas Lexus has the RZ 450e, the electrical various to the RX.
The model not too long ago launched the 2024 Lexus TX, a swanky gas-powered three-row SUV that shares its GA-Ok platform with the Toyota Grand Highlander and slots between the RX and the GX. The brand new TZ might be the TX’s pure electrical counterpart.
If this seems to be true, will probably be clear that the model is sustaining an alphanumerical naming consistency for its upcoming electrified fashions.
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Particulars are restricted to the trademark names, however we will anticipate the TZ to stick to the RZ’s design language. It would characteristic the aerodynamic spindle physique and sport parts just like the illuminated Lexus emblem and a full-width taillamp.
To date, Toyota and Lexus have used the e-TNGA platform for his or her electrical SUVs, however the TZ might be based mostly on a devoted EV platform. The e-TNGA shares a number of parts with the ICE-specific TNGA and therefore just isn’t as cost-effective as devoted EV platforms.
The automaker has plans to fabricate a three-row Toyota electrical SUV at its Georgetown Meeting Plant in Kentucky from 2025, and the TZ is prone to be its extra premium Lexus iteration. Though the trademark filings have been achieved with EUIPA, it’s attainable that the Lexus electrical SUV could be supplied within the US as properly.
The SUVs might be powered by US-assembled batteries, because the automaker has ramped up investments in its under-construction battery manufacturing web site in North Carolina. The corporate will reportedly infuse $5.9 billion to fabricate HEV and BEV batteries on the North Carolina web site.
The model continues to be lagging behind opponents in terms of scaling up BEV manufacturing and producing attraction amongst patrons. Its H1 2023 US BEV gross sales elevated however they weren’t spectacular by any measure. The group bought 20,710 plug-in automobiles (BEVs and hybrids) within the first six months of 2023, of which 3,415 have been Lexus fashions and 17,295 have been Toyota vehicles.
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