Lexus and Toyota are currently enjoying a surge in popularity within the US automotive market. The parent company, Toyota Motor North America, has seen a remarkable 14.3% increase in sales during the first half of the year, bringing its total to an impressive 1,186,647 units. This places the automotive giant just over 100,000 vehicles behind the current market leader, General Motors.
While Toyota’s namesake brand undeniably dominates sales with over a million units moved, Lexus has also experienced substantial growth, defying industry trends with an 11.9% increase to reach 167,211 vehicles sold. This success can be attributed to Lexus’ diverse lineup, encompassing sedans, sports cars, a wide range of crossovers, and even dedicated off-road SUVs like the newly introduced 2024 GX 550.
This latter model, a twin of the J250 Toyota Land Cruiser but equipped with a powerful 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, has captured the attention of aftermarket enthusiasts, particularly those at Arizona-based Westcott Designs. While renowned for their Sequoia-based builds, the aftermarket scene is increasingly exploring the potential of the Toyota Tacoma and Lexus GX 550.
The latter, a luxury SUV promising both on-road elegance and off-road prowess, has captured the attention of enthusiasts. Recent examples, including a pristine white and a subtly different gray unit, showcased the GX 550’s versatility.
However, it was a collaboration with Method Race Wheels on a jet-black GX 550 that truly stole the show. Sharing the belief that the GX 550 represents a new era of luxury SUVs, Method Race Wheels aimed to enhance its already impressive capabilities.
