OREANDA-NEWS. Lexus International today announced it sold 319,275 vehicles in the first half of 2016, a 5 percent increase from the same period the last year, propelled by strong global demand for the new LX and the freshly-revised RX luxury utility vehicles, and for the midsize ES sedan during its first year of production at a new Lexus assembly plant in Kentucky USA.

Continuing growth in China (including Hong Kong) of 26 percent to 46,759 vehicles; and 16 percent across Europe and Russia to 36,405 vehicles, 26 percent in Japan to 28,420 vehicles; and 19 percent in East Asia and 37percent in the Latin America markets supported the global expansion of the Lexus brand.

Weakening demand for large premium sedans contributed to a decline of 4 percent across North America to sales of 162,493, and a soft luxury vehicle market across the Middle East markets led to a drop of 1 percent to 22,484 sales in those countries.

Lexus International executive vice president Yoshihiro Sawa said, "Our designers and engineers have been working to further enhance the styling, performance and emotion of our already well-respected products, and I'm grateful that people are noticing?and appreciating?a new experience with our brand. The bold styling of our newest luxury utility vehicles, the LX and RX, has been particularly well-received."