Lexus is marking a major milestone as it has produced over one million examples of its IS model line.
Introduced back in 1999, the IS has been known principally as a sedan – and a rather sporty one at that – but it has yielded wagon and convertible versions as well. It’s also been offered globally with a range of gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrains, and was the first model to wear the F performance badge that went on to adorn the RC F coupe, the larger GS F sedan, and of course the ten-cylinder LFA supercar.
Though competing largely in the same segment as the ES, the IS takes a sportier orientation, with rear drive instead of front. It’s prime target has been and remains the BMW 3 Series, and has been particularly successful in Europe – a market that accounts for 20 percent of the model’s worldwide sales.
Now in its third generation, the Lexus IS is sold in more than 70 countries around the world, with some 6,000 units moved every month.
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