Lexus RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid pushed back to 2025
Filling back orders for smaller NX 450h+ delays launch of PHEV version of Lexus’ large luxury SUVThe debut of the Lexus RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid large SUV has been delayed in Australia as the Japanese luxury brand focuses on filling back orders for its smaller sibling, the 2024 Lexus NX 450h+.
Lexus Australia halted the sale of the NX plug-in hybrid back in March 2023 as the waiting list blew out to two years, and it remains unavailable to order.
In early 2023 at the launch of the fifth-generation RX premium SUV line-up, Lexus Australia announced its desire to introduce the RX 450h+ by early 2024.
But that now appears likely to push back into 2025 as the company focuses on filling NX back orders first.
“Right now the problem with that [RX local launch] is we have extremely high interest in that car [NX PHEV] and we … got into a situation where the customer waiting times were far too long and therefore we paused any further order intake,” explained Lexus Australia chief executive John Pappas.
“Right now we need to get through this year to try and get all these customers cleared.
“We also have the RX plug-in we want to bring to market but we have to focus on clearing NX. I don’t want to have the same problem on RX plug-in hybrid.
“That is in our plan.”
The NX and RX PHEVs use the same powertrain set-up combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with front and rear e-motors to produce a total output of 227kW.
An 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack supports an electric-only range of up to 65km.
Pappas said Lexus was steadily working through its NX back orders with the target of filling them all before the end of 2024, although he conceded fresh orders may not be taken until 2025.
That effectively pushes RX 450h+ out into 2025 – unless Lexus can increase its supply rate of NX in the second half of this year: “Which changes that decision,” Pappas said.
“We want to get the NX plug-in back on to the market as soon as we can, that is an absolute priority for us.
“But we don’t want to do that until we are at a level where we can see next year if we open the tap we are not simply straight back in the same situation again.
“We want to have enough confidence to have enough stock to keep this thing going. Otherwise, we’re going to create a lot of frustration overnight.
“That’s our focus before we then go and look at RX plug-in hybrid.”
A shortage of high-voltage batteries has been an issue for Lexus and parent Toyota, which has impacted both hybrid and plug-in hybrid supply, but Pappas explained there were further complications caused by increasing interest in the NX PHEV.
He estimated it would climb to 20-30 per cent of NX sales if supply was unfettered.
“What we have realised with NX [PHEV] is that people aren’t ready for EVs, so those people who aren’t ready … they love the plug-in because it is so practical for their journey,” he said.
“The interest in it is massive and it’s a great solution for us.”
The NX is the number-two best-seller in the mid-size luxury SUV segment, albeit with 952 sales to the end of February 2024 compared to the Tesla Model Y’s 2456 sales.
Pappas estimated the plug-less 350h hybrid claimed 50 per cent of NX sales.
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