2010 Lexus Rx 350 2wd, 42,000 Miles on 2040-cars

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Toyota and Lexus recalling 235,000 hybrid CUVs and sedans over separate issues

When it rains, it pours. Toyota has announced a pair of separate but voluntary North America recalls covering approximately 235,000 vehicles built between 2006 and 2011. The larger of the two recalls targets Toyota's hybridized crossovers, the Lexus RX400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. 133,000 units, including 2006-2010 Highlander and 2006-2008 RX crossovers are covered in the campaign. The other recall affects 102,000 IS350 sedans, IS350C convertibles and GS350 sedans built between 2006 and 2011.
With the CUVs, the faults in the parallel circuits of the transistors can cause heat damage in the inverter assembly, triggering an abundance of warning lamps and sending the vehicle into limp mode. The Lexus sedans are being recalled due to loose bolts on the variable valve timing controller. Detected by unusual underhood sounds on startup, the issue can cause the engine to stop while driving. The inverter issue is also triggering similar recalls in Japan and Europe.
At the moment, it's unclear if any of these issues have caused any crashes or injuries. Toyota says it plans to notify owners of the recall via snail mail. Additional information for owners can be found on the recall sites for Toyota and Lexus or by calling Toyota's customer service line, at 1-800-331-4331. Scroll down for the complete recall notice from Toyota.

New Lexus small CUV may have been behind moving ES production to Kentucky

Lexus may have had another big reason - in addition to the financial incentives potentially worth up to $146.5 million that Kentucky offered - to move ES production to its Georgetown, KY plant. The ES has always been built in Japan, and a report at TheDetroitBureau.com claims that the Kyushu facility will be tooling up to build a new model thought to be a compact hybrid crossover expected to go on sale next year. While ES300h production would remain in Japan, shedding 50,000 units of traditional ES production would free capacity for what many think will be an important model in the Lexus lineup.
The new CUV will come in below the RX and be built on the platform of the RAV4. Speculation is that there will be an NX200t and an NX300h, the former possibly getting the 2.0-liter turbo Toyota engine due in 2014 - matching the predicted timeline for the CUV and supposedly also meant for an RX200t - and latter getting the same 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain in the ES300h. We'll see a preview of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 fighter at this year's Tokyo Motor Show; the production version should be unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

Lexus still weighing convertible prospects [w/poll]

Lexus dealers may be clamoring more for a three-row crossover than a two-door convertible, but as far as the automaker itself is concerned, the prospect of a droptop is not out of the question. In fact, according to the latest report from Automotive News, Lexus is currently considering two alternative proposals for adding a new convertible to its lineup. One would be based on the LF-C2 concept showcased at the LA Auto Show last month and take the form of an RC convertible, essentially taking the place of the outgoing IS Convertible at a relatively accessible market position. The other would essentially be a roadster version of the LF-LC sports car and take a much higher position in the company's lineup. Lexus is reportedly evaluating whether it can justify having both convertibles in its lineup – something it hasn't done since the IS and SC convertibles briefly overlapped in 2009-10. But considering the downwards slide in sales of IS Convertibles, it would be hard to make the business case for two new ones. So if sales of the IS Convertible have been so low, why make a new droptop altogether, you ask? A fair question, and the answer very well might come down to projecting a more youthful image and attracting younger buyers into Lexus showrooms – even if they don't ultimately buy a convertible at all. Lexus is well aware that its core customer base is aging, and is in no rush to alienate its more mature clientele, but if it's going to succeed in the long run, it's going to have to bring in younger customers. Have an opinion one way or the other? Voice it in the informal poll below.