http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040907/latu038a_1.html

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lexus announced today that its dealers have received more than 9,000 pre-sold orders for the 2006 RX 400h luxury gas-electric hybrid SUV through August month-end. The RX 400h provides a powerful new performance dimension to the traditional hybrid advantages of high mileage and low emissions.

"We've received significantly more pre-launch orders for the 400h than we've had for any vehicle in our entire 15-year history," said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager, Denny Clements. "Although we're pleased with the early public response to the 400h, we are mindful of our need to respond to these customers in a timely manner," he added.

Lexus recently announced to dealers that the 400h will arrive in showrooms early next year as a 2006 model. The company said after pre-production prototypes are evaluated later this month, it will announce specific on-sale launch timing for the U.S. and other global markets.

"It's imperative we provide accurate information to our dealers and their customers regarding the anticipated arrival of these vehicles," said Clements. "We're already planning ahead with the development of a new retail ordering program, and we've started a dedicated customer communication system," he added.

The new customer communication system will correspond directly with wait-list customers on at-least a quarterly basis with updated information about their RX 400h order. The retail ordering system will provide Lexus dealers with the ability to assign a customer name to a specific vehicle prior to its production and then track that vehicle throughout the distribution process. This is a first for Lexus and will provide timely updates on the progress of a customer's order and their expected vehicle delivery date.

Additionally, Lexus Financial Services will extend lease agreements by as much as 12 months, if necessary, to current Lexus owners who have placed orders for a RX 400h. The plan is designed to accommodate customers who have voiced concern that their Lexus lease might run-out before their RX 400h arrives.



I wish I could afford one I like the quartlerly updates, the anticipation would nearly give me a stroke.

 

Yeah the 400H is killer. Get the gas milage of a 4-cylinder with the power of a V8 along with AWD and killer luxury accomodations with the appropriate options.

If you want something like that but without the price tag, the Highlander hybrid will be out soon after. Same basic car with not as many and as nice features or as smooth/quiet of a ride... but the drivetrain and chassis should be identical.

The Camry/ES should follow with hybrid layouts soon after, since their 3.3L drivetrain is 99% identical to the RX's.

They've started to build some of the RXs in Canada starting last year, but I'm guessing the 400H will be built in japan, at least for a little while. I got an RX330 (non-hybrid version of the same car/suv) as a loaner car a few months ago when getting the trans fluid changed on my car. It was pretty fun to drive, but there were surprisingly a couple of build quality issues. Don't get me wrong... you'd never noticed them in most cars and if you did, you'd never think of actually complaining about 'em. But unusual for a brand new lexus. I checked the VIN and sure enough, built in canada. Asked my service advisor about it and he admitted that the canadian built RXs are having some issues, but they are working their *** off to get them in shape to their usual standards, and at the same time they are being as accomodating toward customers as possible for the small issues.

 

The Escape hybrid SUV is here, now, if that's where you want to go. It has gotten very good reviews.

 

My Project Manager is one of those people waiting for the 2006 RX 400h