It could replace the GX SUV with body-on-frame GX.
Sometimes we discover some fascinating automotive tidbits by diving into the vast world of trademark and patent applications. Although it can be frustrating to navigate the digital superhighway, we are able to find some interesting information thanks to our experience with Toyota. We found trademarks for TX350h and TX500h that were filed on September 8.
This alphanumeric layout is not Toyota’s, but the automaker’s upscale Lexus division. The X denotes an SUV within the Lexus lineup. h denotes a hybrid. Both the coupe and the SUV models of Lexus have 350 and 500 as monikers.
What does this all mean for the future of the automaker? It’s a great question and one that the rumor mill is not answering. We know NX sales fell 5.4 percent in 2019, and dropped 17.9 percent through 2020’s first quarter. The sales of the GX , which is much older than the , fell slightly last year, but dropped 5.7 percent through the first quarter. The LX flagship SUV sales are down by 30.9 percent in the first quarter. It’s possible that a new TX model could replace these models. We have additional information that may point us to a GX replacement.
We’ve heard that a new flagship LQ SUV could be added to the mix. It could replace or slot above the LX. We also have an older report that Lexus had actually planned to replace the GX with the TX. The report also stated that the TX would be a seven-seater unibody design, as opposed to the GX’s body-on-frame construction. It makes sense to swap the Lexus luxury SUV for a three-row unibody crossover, as most people aren’t interested the off-road advantages of such construction.
It’s speculation at this stage. We haven’t heard from Lexus in over a year and haven’t received spy photos or any information about Lexus. Further suggesting that this model could be exclusive to the U.S., the filings were only made at US Patent and Trademark Office. There is always the possibility Lexus may be protecting its Texas branding to prevent future misuse.