Lexus ramping up production of the IS Convertible

Lexus is ramping up its production to meet consumer demand in the midst of its US marketing blitz for the 2010 IS-C. Each month, about 1,200 cars roll off the Kyushu factory, but it’s just “barely enough,” according to a Lexus official. Introduced last October at the Paris Motor Show, the IS-C, a hardtop convertible, is finally in full swing in the US.

Wards Auto reports that Lexus is taking extra care in managing the supply. Scott Wracher, Lexus’s general manager for the Eastern area of the U.S, said, “I don’t think we’re going to outstrip demand with our build rate… There’s a lot of value in the IS compared to our competition.” Its rivals include BMW, Mercedes-Benz and the new Infiniti G37 Convertible.
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MSP6 - 7/10/2009 1:10:13 PM

0 Boost

Of course, the solara has been discontinued and the production of
the sebring convertible has been halted for a few months ...

david999 - 7/10/2009 1:38:40 PM

+1 Boost

It is a nice vehicle with Lexus quality attached to it.

Anthony - 7/10/2009 1:48:18 PM

+7 Boost

People, primarily Lexus customers, complained for years about Lexus not having a convertible in this segment. Now they finally have one. Are people surprised that people want to buy it or something?

Whelan - 7/10/2009 4:16:27 PM

+2 Boost

Your only choice for a Lexus convertible has been the SC430 which when it debuted was a nice car, but always had the too heavy, not sporty enough attitude. And at a 60k price tag was out of a lot of ranges.

The IS-C fills a BIG niche for Lexus as stated above, who is surprised by the sales of it. The advertising campaign is MUCH better than that of the G37 convertible. I wanna see a comparo of the two, throw the 3 series convi in there too. I personally think its a nice looking convertible, I need to lookup if it is based on the IS250 powertrain or the 300.

Building an IS-F convertible may be stretching it to me a bit, but aside from that they did a good job it seems.

DinamoR - 7/10/2009 6:35:33 PM

+1 Boost

I haven't seen this car in real life yet, but from pictures I am very disappointed. I waited for it for a long time.

I hope they make a IS-F version. I might buy one.

JUGNU - 7/10/2009 8:52:12 PM

-2 Boost

I have seen and checked the all new 2010 Lexus IS300C here in UAE. It looked a lot better than in photos but i was hoping Lexus would bring the 350 engine. The 3.0 V6 228BHP engine which Lexus offers here is quite old but it competes nicely with 325i Cabrio and A4 2.0T cabrio.

JUGNU

lexworld - 7/10/2009 8:52:56 PM

-1 Boost

Whelan don't think for one second Lexus is surprised by the response they've been getting for the IS250C/IS350C convertibles. Kudos go to them for a job well done with their planning, engineering, design, and marketing strategy responding to customer feed-back. The IS350C should compete well against its BMW and Infiniti rivals. Except of course when seen in person that's when I think the Lexus IS350C will be The hands down winner in terms of beauty.

lexworld - 7/10/2009 8:55:42 PM

+1 Boost

and JUGNU what page are you on?.............

rxh8me9000 - 7/11/2009 2:54:27 AM

+2 Boost

Saw a red one at the ny auto show.Have not seen a single one on the street yet.

sector - 7/12/2009 10:01:59 PM

0 Boost

It's flying off the shelf because people finally have a convertible that is built correctly and won't break down like offerings from BMW and MB.

PerformanceGuy - 7/13/2009 1:37:03 PM

+1 Boost

Seems decent. However, if I was going to get a convertible, it would have to be the G37 or 3 series.