Toyota’s slow-roll approach to new EV releases drew criticism at first, but it quickly started looking like a smart move as sales didn’t grow as quickly as expected. Lexus was in lock-step with Toyota, and it appears the luxury automaker will continue its cautious approach going forward.
The Japanese publication NHK reported that Lexus would delay its next-gen electric models, which are expected to include compact and full-size SUVs. The first models were expected to land in 2026, but the automaker has pushed that back to mid-2027.
Lexus will use a new vehicle platform shared with Toyota. Like Tesla, the architecture uses gigacasting manufacturing techniques, which simplify production but can complicate body repairs. That said, the process drastically reduces the number of components required to build a vehicle.
Toyota made a similar decision with its upcoming three-row electric SUV. It was planned to enter production in 2025, but is now scheduled for 2026. The automaker also reportedly canceled plans to build Lexus EVs stateside, instead opting to ship them in from Japan.
These delays might sound like doom and gloom for Toyota, but the brand is well-positioned with hybrid options to meet increasing demand for less expensive electrified vehicles. That said, Toyota and Lexus only have two EVs on sale between them, so the wait for new models will be interesting to watch as an observer.
[Images: Lexus/Toyota]
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Source: The Truth About Cars
