Lexus Launches Its First EV in China

Meet the Lexus UX 300e, an electric crossover designed to help Toyota sell electric cars in China.

It’s no secret that China has supplanted the United States as the world’s largest market for new cars. Manufacturers are clamoring to capitalize on growth in this rapidly expanding market.

Toyota in particular is focusing on introducing new electric vehicles in the Chinese market. Leading the charge is the UX 300e. The small electric crossover is a first for Lexus, and it’s aimed squarely at offerings from Tesla and Volkswagen.

According to Nikkei Asian Review, Lexus ranked third behind Porsche and BMW in a study of most appealing new luxury cars. Simply put, Chinese luxury buyers are hot on Lexus, so it makes sense for Toyota to use that brand recognition to boost EV sales.

In a press release, Toyota stresses their experience as a pioneer in hybrid technology, from the famous Prius to the 2005 Lexus RX400h. They’ve leveraged that technology to create an electric vehicle that looks, feels, and, most importantly, performs like a Lexus.

The UX 300e features a 250 mile range, as well as a Drive Mode Select function that can manage the electric motor’s acceleration characteristics. Drivers can select a mild setting for commuting, or a sportier setting for when they want to unleash the UX 300e’s full potential.

Lexus engineers paid close attention to NVH. Specifically, they targeted the sort of noises usually drowned out by the hum of an internal combustion engine. Wind noise and the sound of small pebbles hitting the undercarriage were given special consideration, with additional insulation added in key areas.

Toyota will release the UX 300e next spring, attempting to beat a market that’s expected to cool once government subsidies dry up. It will be the first of many new electric Toyota vehicles, which will be released all over the world – not just in China.

Indeed, this is merely the beginning of Toyota’s “Lexus Electrified” initiative, which was announced at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. As of now, Toyota has no plans to release the Lexus UX 300e in the United States.

Photos: Toyota

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Cam Vanderhorst

Cam VanDerHorst has been a contributor to Internet Brands' Auto Group sites for over three years, with his byline appearing on Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Corvette Forum, JK Forum, and Harley-Davidson Forums, among others. In that time, he's also contributed to Autoweek, The Drive, and Scale Auto Magazine.

He bought his first car at age 14 -- a 1978 Ford Mustang II -- and since then he’s amassed an impressive and diverse collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including a 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Mystic Cobra (#683) and a classic air-cooled Porsche 911.

In addition to writing about cars and wrenching on them in his spare time, he enjoys playing music (drums and ukulele), building model cars, and tending to his chickens.

You can follow Cam, his cars, his bikes, and his chickens at @camvanderhorst on Instagram.

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