[Lexus NX News]

One year removed from the market launch of the NX demand remains strong in the US, meaning wait times will not improve.

“We’ll continue to push for more. Our dealers are certainly looking for more, (but) it’s going to continue to be a negotiation with (Toyota in Japan), because it’s so popular globally,” said Jeff Bracken, senior vice president and general manager for Lexus in the US, to WardsAuto.

Toyota's one facility in Kyushu, Japan builds and ships the NX to some 89 markets across the globe. 2015 US allotment was about 40,000 units, leaving US buyers with a wait time of about a month.

Bracken says that if they had more they could sell more, although the situation in the US pales in comparison to the six-month wait times certain overseas markets are mired in.

 

[mister]

A 6 month wait time? One month wait time won't lose you customers really, but 6 months could have people buying something else. Those longer wait markets should probably be the focus.

 

[TheLex]

Couldn't the NX be produced in another facility?

 

[Kennedy]

Couldn't the NX be produced in another facility?

They probably see this as a great cost cutting method, people really want it and some might just wait 6 months since this is a long-term purchase. Waiting 6 months for something you'll stick with for years to come that you know you'll like is wise.

 

[mister]

Couldn't the NX be produced in another facility?

That would require a big change. You'd have to alter the structure of the product line in what every factory you move it to. It's possible, but that would require another factory to stop producing a model or drastically cut output. Not likely in the short or medium term.

 

[Kennedy]

Then there's the fact you have to worry about what happens when demand slows down, they'll probably have to limit production back to what they have now. People can wait... if they really want it.

 

[TheLex]

I guess the U.S. is luckier than most as the wait time is only around a month or so. Wonder which countries have the 6 month wait time.

 

[mister]

I would guess countries in Europe.

Maybe the recent slow down in China will free up some inventory anyway.

 

[Kennedy]

I would guess countries in Europe.

Maybe the recent slow down in China will free up some inventory anyway.

That could potentially do it depending on what China's rebound will be like and knowing Toyota they'll want to move quick on avoiding a loss.

 

[mister]

The only caveat I would add, is that China sometimes hates on Japanese products, so that is something to think about.

 

[David]

The only caveat I would add, is that China sometimes hates on Japanese products, so that is something to think about.

I think that's more with the older generation of chinese people, the younger generations might be more accepting to the idea of owning a Japanese vehicle.

 

[TheLex]

There may be a slow down in China but Lexus may need to replace the vehicles damaged in the Tianjin explosion. Not sure if the Lexus NX was stored near there but if they were then Lexus may need to allot some of the produced vehicles to China. Toyota provided an estimate that around 4,700 Toyota and Lexus vehicles were damaged in the incident.