Lexus LX and NX orders stopped in Japan! Toyota LandCruiser 300 twin proves too popular globally, as Australian wait times for plug-in hybrid NX SUV blow out

Lexus has taken the same steps as its parent company Toyota by suspending new orders of some of its most popular models in its Japanese home market.

Following Toyota Japan’s announcement earlier this week that it was stopping orders of its LandCruiser 300 Series, luxury arm Lexus announced on its website that all orders for the mechanically related LX upper-large SUV, and the freshly launched NX medium SUV, have halted.

“Thank you for considering and ordering our vehicle. LX has been very well received not only in Japan but also in other countries around the world, and we are currently suspending orders because we have received orders that greatly exceed our production capacity.

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“Regarding the resumption of orders, we will inform you again based on the future production situation. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding,” the statement on the Japanese consumer website read.

A similar note can be found on the NX homepage of the brand’s Japanese site.

However, Lexus’ Australian buyers needn’t worry because a company spokesperson confirmed that Lexus is still taking orders for all current models, including the LX and NX. Similarly, orders remain open for the LandCruiser in Australia.

While the suspension of orders has not hit Australian buyers, CarsGuide has received details of longer waiting times than anticipated for the flagship plug-in hybrid version of the NX.

A CarsGuide reader ordered a new NX450h+ shortly after the order books opened in late February and was informed at the time there would be a six-month wait, as a worst-case scenario, with delivery expected in August this year.

The Lexus NX450h+ plug-in hybrid is proving popular in Australia.

But this week the buyer spoke with their dealer who would not give them a new delivery time, instead just saying that if they ordered an NX450h+ today, there would be an 18-month wait.

The source claims the dealer also said Lexus has stopped all hybrid production as the brand tries to catch up with unprecedented demand while battling parts shortages.

A Lexus Australia spokesperson did not comment on the buyer’s claim about global hybrid production, but provided CarsGuide with the following statement:

“As you are aware, there are continued and unexpected delays to production on some Lexus models which is impacting local customer delivery times. Our dealers are working closely with each customer to keep them informed and help them through what is an evolving situation. Lexus Australia is still taking orders on all available models.”

Despite the Australian launch of the new-gen model earlier this year, NX sales are down in the first half of 2022, with supply partly to blame. Lexus has sold 1732 examples of the NX, which is 6.0 per cent off the same period in 2021.

It’s currently fifth for sales in the premium medium SUV segment behind the Mercedes-Benz GLC (2577), BMW X3 (2486), Volvo XC60 (2044) and Audi Q5 (1861).

The LX is also behind last year’s tally with 188 sales so far this year, down 19.7 per cent. The LandCruiser’s luxury twin trails the likes of the BMW X7 (491), and Mercedes-Benz GLS (335) and G-Class (333) for sales.