The all-new Lexus IS 250C hardtop convertible has yet to hit the U.S. market but the Japanese automaker is already expecting it to outsell its current convertible offering – the SC 450 – by a margin of nearly 15 to 1. The IS 250C will hit the Lexus show rooms next month.
According to Automotive News, Lexus expects to sell 1,600 IS 250Cs around the globe every month. North American will make up a large part of that market, with 70 percent of IS 250Cs heading our way. Lexus has only managed 310 U.S. sales of the SC 450 through the first four months of the year.
“This is meant to appeal as an entry-level Lexus,” project manager Keiichi Nishiyama told Automotive News. “Its main target is overseas customers, especially in North America.”
The IS C’s entry-level pricing will likely give it the boost it needs to greatly outsell its SC counterpart. The base model IS 250C will list from $39,365, undercutting the SC 450’s price tag of $67,680 by a wide margin. Even the upcoming up-level IS 350C seems like a relative bargain next to the SC 450 with a starting price of $44,815.
The IS C range also has youth on its side. The SC has been on the market virtually unchanged since 2001, with the IS C set to be the freshest face on the Lexus block.
05/07, 6:50 PM
posted by:
A4
fall asleep with the wind in your hair, now more affordable.
05/07, 6:52 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
The SC should have faded away years ago..
05/07, 7:00 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
What hair?
05/07, 7:00 PM
posted by:
A4
touche
05/07, 7:01 PM
posted by:
A4
…toupee
05/07, 7:05 PM
posted by:
Mutant@DCX
Old lady down the street has a SC, it’s nice imo, price on the new droptop will prolly help sales expectations.
05/07, 7:08 PM
posted by:
skulinex
Lexus has an SC450??
05/07, 7:17 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
I think it actually looks pretty good. I’ve sat and driven in Lexus’s before and they are very comfortable and sporty.
05/07, 7:19 PM
posted by:
A4
i dont think “sporty” is the right word…
05/07, 7:23 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
“Sporty” as compared to what? A Zamboni?
05/07, 7:26 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Basically the want the sales the SC had back in 2001, 12-15k a month
This is very reasonable, at least for the first 2 years
DrFill
05/07, 7:33 PM
posted by:
orangecones
the SC is a very old model, it looks the same as it did in 2001 (save for a very slight refresh maybe)… this is exactly why there are no sales on that thing. Also for $65k and the back seat is only good enough for….kids…no, useless back seat. Car is pretty much useless.
05/07, 7:43 PM
posted by:
A4
woahhh woahh there Dr Fill… 12-15k a year is more like it, it aint a mustang.
05/07, 10:04 PM
posted by:
Borat
C’moon what if it will sell? In Arizona, Florida, California it is a reasonable car, not so much north, where RWD will spell trouble during winter. If it is cheaper then BMW convertible it may work (has to be a lot cheaper) but how difficult is that?
05/07, 10:07 PM
posted by:
Borat
It is btw almost 5K cheaper. I know BMW has more powerful motor and handles better, does it matter that much? Everybody would be driving bimmers, if that was deciding factor.
05/07, 11:15 PM
posted by:
Kaizen
WTF is a SC 450?
05/08, 9:42 AM
posted by:
non_biased_enthusiast
That’s amazing that Lexus had 310 U.S. sales of a car that does not exist. I wonder how many SC430’s they sold.
05/08, 10:40 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
1600/month? Maybe in the second month, but after that this heap will average 300 units maybe if it’s lucky.
05/08, 11:20 AM
posted by:
shaver
SC is hideous. I would bet they will only sell 1000 a month. Their are 2-3 better options. Its OK looking but its no Lebaron (man they sold a lot of those back in the day).
05/08, 2:59 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
AS LONG AS i’M NOT SADDLED WITH ONE ….