Toyota may build a small Lexus SUV

Toyota may be working on a compact Lexus SUV that would compete with the BMW X3, Mercedes GLK, Acura RDX and the Infiniti EX35. Even though many company executives have shown no interest in the niche, some believe it could lure some Gen Y customers (you know, those born between 1980-1995)

Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. president, says Toyota’s advanced product strategy group is studying a demographic trend that includes people who are “sick of the suburbs, but who don’t want to give up the utility of their SUV,” he said.

“A small luxury SUV might be the right product for that environment,” Lentz said.

Lexus’ RX 350 starts at $38,165 about the same price of a BMW X3. Lentz says one major road-block is that luxury features may have to be sacrificed in order to hit a price target of $30,000 for a compact SUV.

 

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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