2017 Lexus ES300h (India-rumor)
According to a report on Autocar India, Lexus brand will start selling its products in India next year.
Initially, Lexus will import products as CBUs (Completely Built Units), but
Toyota is already working towards assembling Lexus products in India through
CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits.
The Toyota factory in Bidadi, Karnataka, will
assemble Lexus products, and based on the report, steps are already being taken
for the upmarket brand’s arrival. The plant has reportedly shifted to
water-based paints, which is used by Lexus products too.
Once local assembly starts, Lexus is reported to
first assemble its hybrid offerings, so as to take benefit of the government’s
FAME policy which provides incentives for hybrid/electric vehicles
made/assembled in India. For reference, the Toyota Camry Hybrid which is
assembled at the same plant gets an incentive of INR 70,000 from the
government.
Lexus will also focus more on its after-sales
service, offering best-in-class service packs and warranty schemes thus luring
buyers who are wary of expensive repairs German luxury cars come with. The
Japanese luxury brand will first appoint a handful of dealers in the important
metro cities, but will later expand its presence to smaller cities as well.
The Lexus ES300h is reported to be among the first
products to be locally assembled in India. It packs a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle
engine with two high output electric motors, which produce a combined output of
202 bhp at 5,700 rpm and peak torque of 213 Nm at 4,500 rpm. Fuel consumption
and CO2 emission are rated at 18.2 km/L and 130 g/km.
