(Sorry if its a re-post)
Lexus Mulls Small Crossover
Date posted: 02-17-2006
TOKYO — Toyota's upscale Lexus brand, as part of an ongoing expansion of its product portfolio, plans to introduce at least one more luxury crossover and is considering the addition of a smaller near luxury crossover based on the recently redesigned RAV4.
The proposed compact Lexus CUV would be positioned as a smaller sibling to the popular RX 330 and would be targeted at Acura's Accord-based RDX, which goes into production this summer. Sources familiar with Toyota's plans say the company could bring the smaller Lexus, which as yet has no name, to market as early as 2008.
The compact Lexus crossover would be built on Toyota's new MC global midsize platform, which also underpins the '07 Camry and '07 ES 350 sedans. The same platform will be used as the foundation for the 2009 RX 350, which replaces the current RX 330 in fall 2008.
Supplier sources say Toyota is also studying a proposal to consolidate production of the three Lexus vehicles — the ES 350, the RX 350, and the new compact crossover — at its new plant in Woodstock, Ontario, in 2008-'09.
The Lexus brand is planning to add a high-end crossover vehicle, based on its 2003 HPX concept, in 2008. The all-wheel-drive CUV, which will share its underpinnings with the IS sedan, will be imported from Japan and will be positioned to compete with the Infiniti FX.
