No plans for Lexus ES Midsizer In Australian Range
Lexus Australia has confirmed that it won't be reviving the ES nameplate here, despite there being enthusiasm for the front-wheel-drive sedan within the company.
The news comes as Lexus prepares to unveil an all-new ES at this week's New Yo
Lexus Australia has confirmed that it won't be reviving the ES nameplate here, despite there being enthusiasm for the front-wheel-drive sedan within the company.
The news comes as Lexus prepares to unveil an all-new ES at this week's New York Auto Show. The carmaker has released a single teaser image for now, although spy photos revealed the car's styling in February.
Previous generations of ES were sold in Australia between 1992 and 2005, initially forming the entry point to the Lexus range.
Based on the Toyota Camry, the ES eventually found itself bridging the divide between the compact IS 250 and the larger GS 300.
The ES' departure from the local line-up left a wide price gap between the range-topping IS and the base model GS sedan. Since then, the arrival of the IS 350 and - this week - the new GS range that gap has disappeared.
Excluding the high-performance IS F, the IS range tops out at $81,300 for the IS 350 Luxury, while the new GS 250 Luxury starts at $77,900.
Finding a price point to slot the ES into would be difficult, but Lexus Australia CEO Tony Cramb says it could be done.
"I still think there's a place for the ES in the Australian market," Mr Cramb told TMR at this week's launch of the new GS 250 and GS 350.
"However [Lexus] doesn't build it in right hand drive at the moment, and as such we have no confirmed plans to bring in the ES."
Instead, Lexus will focus on bulking up its existing model lines with new variants and by introducing new models.
For 2012, Lexus' local plans involve the launch of two new models, four model line changes (the first of which will be the RX), the debut of eight new hybrid variants and the addition of eight new F Sport variants.
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