Lexus Sticks to Sales Goal Despite Plunge in China

Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus brand still expects to sell 500,000 vehicles worldwide this year even though U.S. volume is disappointing and rising anti-Japan sentiment has squelched demand for its models in China.

Toyota reported earlier this week that sales by its Lexus and namesake marques in China fell by half last month.

Kazuo Ohara, executive vice president for Lexus worldwide, tells reporters it's unlikely sales will rebound "anytime soon." But he

says the brand still plans to launch its revamped flagship LS sedan in China by year-end.

Ohara tells Bloomberg News that Lexus sales in the U.S. are "slightly behind" the pace needed to hit the brand's target of 250,000 vehicles this year. Lexus sold 171,000 vehicles in the country from January through September, lagging luxury leader Mercedes-Benz by about 20,000 units.