Page "Lexus LX" Paragraph 8

Targeted against luxury SUV competitors such as Range Rover, the LX 450 sold over 5, 000 units in 1996 and over 9, 000 units in 1997.

At its launch, the LX 450 sold out its initial production allocation, resulting in a two-month wait list ; surpassing initial expectations which had called for 4, 000 units sold that year.

The LX 450 was brought to market as US buyers showed greater interest in large SUVs ; these vehicles had grown popular because of their high driver's vantage point and truck-like characteristics.

Lexus customer research also revealed that one in six owners were purchasing large SUVs to add to their garages.

An additional factor was the US-Japan trade war of the mid-1990s.

At the time, the US government threatened to place 100 percent tariffs on all Japanese luxury import cars, but not including SUVs.

The LX 450 was produced as a rebadged model ( in contrast with other Lexus efforts which were independently or divergently developed from Toyota vehicles ), giving Lexus a model that was exempt from the tax.

Ultimately however, a gentlemen's agreement was reached and the threatened tariffs did not materialize.