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On August 12, the new Lexus ES officially launched 11 models with a price range of 29.69-488900 yuan. It is understood that Lexus launched the ES medium-term modified model in August 2021, with a price range of 29.49-488900 yuan. Taken together, the prices of all versions of the new car have increased in varying degrees, with a maximum increase of 4000 yuan.

As an annual revamped model, the new Lexus ES makes minor adjustments to the main exterior interior details and configuration, the spindle grille adds a number of horizontal lines, and is optimized for the headlight group, replaced with a square three-point LED headlight group, and the interior also integrates the latest style of LED daytime driving lights, which makes the whole more scientific and technological sense. At the same time, the wheel hub design of the new car has been upgraded, and other details are similar to those of the current model. In the rear part, the shape of the trunk of the new car and the rear of the car form a double-layer design, the taillight is connected by a chrome-plated decorative strip to form a penetrating design, and the internal shape of the lamp group has three "L" shapes connected to each other, which has a high degree of recognition after lighting. In addition, the hidden exhaust design is adopted in all the new cars. In terms of size, the length, width and height of the new car is 4975/1866/1447mm, the wheelbase is 2870mm, and the positioning is medium and large sedan.

In terms of interior decoration, the new Lexus ES basically continues the design style of existing models, still using a full liquid crystal dashboard and a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, the central control multimedia display uses a suspension design, and some physical buttons and knobs are retained under the central control, and the overall interior design style is still relative to the traditional.

On the power side, the new Lexus ES will have 2.0L and 2.5L four-cylinder naturally aspirated engines to choose from, the former maximum power 173Ps, maximum torque 208N ·m, the transmission system matches the CVT continuously variable transmission; the latter maximum power 207Ps, maximum torque 243N ·m, the transmission system will match the 8AT or CVT gearbox according to different configurations of the model. In addition, the hybrid model is equipped with a 2.5L self-priming four-cylinder engine and a single motor hybrid system with a maximum power of 218 horsepower, which matches the E-CVT electronic continuously variable transmission.

Lexus, a luxury brand owned by Toyota, is the best performing luxury brand in China, but Lexus did not have a comfortable time in the Chinese market in the first half of the year. According to imported passenger car sales data released by the China Automobile Circulation Association, Lexus imported 86477 vehicles in the first half of the year, down 29.68 per cent from a year earlier.

As for the reasons for the decline in sales, on the one hand, limited by insufficient production capacity and the impact of the epidemic, there are production obstacles and freight delays, on the other hand, imported cars are also affected by the overall decline of traditional fuel vehicles, facing certain growth pressure. Data show that in the first half of the year, sales of imported cars fell 25.6 per cent year-on-year to 368000 vehicles, of which luxury brand sales fell 25.2 per cent year-on-year to 32000 vehicles, with Lexus significantly underperforming the market.

Toyota is plagued by supply chain problems, resulting in a shortage of Lexus. According to Toyota's latest shutdown plan, nine production lines at six local factories will be suspended in August, involving Lexus LX models, and Lexus LC has temporary production cuts or suspensions in its September production plan. Earlier this year, the Lexus website announced: "We apologize for the new LX announced on January 12, because it takes a lot of time to deliver after ordering. If you buy from now on, it may take us about four years to deliver your car. We apologize for the new NX announced on October 7, 2021, as it will take a long time to deliver after ordering. If you plan to buy it, please wait a year or more before you can deliver your car. " In other words, it takes at least a year to book a Lexus NX, while a Lexus LX won't pick up until 2026. "We will consider our efforts to shorten delivery time, so please understand," Lexus said.

In addition to the production and sales pressure, Lexus is also facing the pressure of transformation. According to the plan, Lexus plans to provide pure electric versions of all its models by 2030 and take the lead in selling 100% pure electric vehicles in China, Europe and North America, reaching the global sales target of 1 million units. In addition, Lexus plans to achieve 100% global sales of pure electric vehicles by 2035. On April 20th, Lexus RZ, a new electric vehicle owned by Lexus, was officially launched. the new car locates the pure electric compact SUV, which is based on Toyota e-TNGA architecture.

Perhaps, in the context of the rising supply chain and raw material prices, the increase in product prices is inevitable, but in the era when the overall market for fuel vehicles is declining and luxury cars are cutting prices for sales, it is no longer feasible for Lexus to increase prices and sell cars, and it is even more difficult for Lexus to create new sales peaks.

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