Lexus LC on sales pause in Australia as retirement nears

Lexus Australia isn't currently taking orders for its LC grand tourer, as the Japanese automaker prepares to wind up production this August.

"At this point in time, we've got no news on retirement," Lexus Australia CEO Jack Hobbs told CarExpert.

"The only thing I can say is we are on a sales pause with LC currently, because we met an allocation and we don't want to take orders when we can't guarantee them, so you'll have to watch this space."

First unveiled in 2016, the LC has enjoyed a nine-year production run, with approximately 15,000 units sold worldwide over that time.

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However, it was announced in February the model wouldn't continue beyond the 2026 model year, and the LC has gradually begun to disappear from overseas showrooms since.

The LC's demise also signals the end for the 2UR-GSE 5.0-litre V8, which no longer features in a production vehicle.

Offered in both coupe and convertible body styles, the LC was also available with a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Both versions sent power to the rear wheels only.

Despite competing in a niche segment, the LC (54 sales) actually outsold the LS sedan (13) and the RZ mid-size electric SUV (41) in Australia last year, as well as direct rivals including the BMW 8 Series and Mercedes-AMG SL.

Just five examples have been delivered this year to the end of April.

The LC's axing leaves a glaring gap in the Lexus lineup, given the marque's remaining passenger models are a mid-sized sedan and a large sedan, the ES and LS respectively. The latter is understood to be on borrowed time too, having already been axed in the US market which is Lexus' largest.

With that said, a new two-door halo model is set to join the fold in the coming years, previewed last year by the LFA Concept.

But despite sharing a name with the iconic V10-powered supercar produced between 2010 and 2012, the LFA Concept won't house a highly strung combustion engine under the bonnet.

Instead, it will be fully electric, and share a platform with the petrol-powered Toyota GR GT supercar.

Previous reports out of Japan have also indicated there’ll be another coupe to slot in under the production LFA, replacing both the RC and LC.

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