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Lexus SC430 may be axed

Lexus SC430 may be axed

Kenneth Hall July 13th, 2008 Kenneth Hall By Kenneth Hall Author July 13th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Sales of the Lexus SC have dipped considerably for the Japanese luxury brand, with only 1,230 SC 430s finding a home in the U.S. in the first six months of the year, down more than 40% from levels just one year ago. The current generation has been in production since 2001 and is starting to show its age up against a number of newcomers in the luxury coupe and convertible markets. While Toyota was originally planning to launch a replacement for the car sometime next year, inside sources have revealed to Edmunds that those plans were subsequently pushed back to mid-2011 and now, in fact, have been canceled. The new car was meant to be based on the same RWD platform as the upcoming LFA supercar due next year. According to the source, the Lexus SC is not the only car Toyota is planning to axe. Executives are reportedly mulling whether to drop the next-generation Avalon and replace it with a long-wheelbase Camry instead. The stretched Camry is being considered for North America as well as the Middle-East and China, but it won’t arrive until 2011 at the earliest if given the green light.
Lexus SC430 may be axed

Lexus SC430 may be axed

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Sales of the Lexus SC have dipped considerably for the Japanese luxury brand, with only 1,230 SC 430s finding a home in the U.S. in the first six months of the year, down more than 40% from levels just one year ago. The current generation has been in production since 2001 and is starting to show its age up against a number of newcomers in the luxury coupe and convertible markets.

While Toyota was originally planning to launch a replacement for the car sometime next year, inside sources have revealed to Edmunds that those plans were subsequently pushed back to mid-2011 and now, in fact, have been canceled.

The new car was meant to be based on the same RWD platform as the upcoming LFA supercar due next year.

According to the source, the Lexus SC is not the only car Toyota is planning to axe. Executives are reportedly mulling whether to drop the next-generation Avalon and replace it with a long-wheelbase Camry instead. The stretched Camry is being considered for North America as well as the Middle-East and China, but it won’t arrive until 2011 at the earliest if given the green light.

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Posted in: 2008, Lexus, News, Convertible, SC 430


Comments (14 total)

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  1. By Andrew #1, Posted: 7/13/2008

    It's probably a good thing.

    When a car goes from being "luxocoupe perfection - possibly the best car on the planet" according to Car and Driver describing the SC400, to an also-ran that doesn't compete in its class, IN ONE GENERATION, something went seriously wrong.

  2. By chris #2, Posted: 7/13/2008

    I've only ever seen one of these cars once in real life.

    I remember hamster having some harsh words about it on TG as well.. then again he said the mazda3 was a POS when it first came outl... so his opinion isnt the strongest...

  3. By Gus #3, Posted: 7/13/2008

    Uninspiring blob. Good riddance.

  4. By Roy #4, Posted: 7/13/2008

    It looks great in certain colours and the interior is ridiculously nice. The engine is too big, making the car too heavy so handling suffers. Plus there's been an explosion in retractable hardtops. Before the only competition was the MB SLK. Now you can pick up a 335i convertible for about the same price... I know which I'd take.

  5. By www.mywheelsonwalls.com #5, Posted: 7/13/2008

    The fact that it looks like an egg on wheels probably does not help.

  6. By Tyler #6, Posted: 7/13/2008

    Not surprising... The car was nice but was getting old and too expensive. If Lexus is smart they will create an IS convertible to compete with the 3 series but also create a cheaper LF-A with maybe a 350 or 400 engine to replace the SC and make the current LF-A (with the huge engine) the F model

  7. By Nick #7, Posted: 7/14/2008

    Too bad, but not too surprising. I think many people were thinking the LF-A was going to be the next 70k SC, not a 250k luxury-performance halo car which is unlikely to sell well in today's environment. With no updates for the SC in a long while, it's not surprising it's going away.

    Maybe Nissan will push out a few more GT-R's now, since that car appears to be everything the SC should be currently, if Toyota had wanted it to continue selling.

  8. By HECTOR #8, Posted: 7/14/2008

    Let me give you a hint about its demise: it has a cassette tape inside.

  9. By Hedorah #9, Posted: 7/14/2008

    w/ sales so bad they may do it but I would expect to return down the road not unlike the NSX.

  10. By Dane #10, Posted: 7/14/2008

    Good.... One less ugly sad car on the road....

    I have always called that car the "Pacer' of our times.... RIP and never come back....

  11. By Tyler #11, Posted: 7/14/2008

    Hector so does the GS... Do you call that car a failure?

  12. By christian #12, Posted: 7/14/2008

    All i can say is about time, This car is so outdated, and has been in need of a redesign for the last 3 years. It is way overpriced for what you get, if anything it should of been axed a year ago.

  13. By Chappy #13, Posted: 9/11/2008

    i actually drive the SC now....however my lease is up in march '09 and i can't wait! great car, but i'm just so bored with it at this point. The Porsche Carrera S (997) will be my next ride....might not have all the bells and whistles of the SC, but it damn sure will be a blast to drive!

  14. ma_SDkid avatar by SDkid #14, Posted: 4/14/2009

    Bought a new 2003 SC in gold. Loved every minute of it. Had it for 5 years and sold it as gas approached $4. A real head turner and made me feel like a movie star every day. Only negative were the run flat tires. I had to replace them every year at $1200 a pop. O well, the price you pay for being a star.

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