Safety concerns halt Lexus GX 460 sales in UAE

Sales of the Lexus GX 460 have now been suspended in the UAE, following concerns from an influential magazine that the vehicle was a safety risk. Simon Frith, the managing director for Al-Futtaim Motors, the local distributor for Toyota, confirmed this morning that sales have been temporarily suspended, pending an investigation of a potential problem with the vehicle highlighted in the US publication Consumer Reports. "We're contacting all customers to explain this situation," the statement said. "If there are any customers concerned about driving their vehicle, we'll provide a courtesy car." On Tuesday, the magazine gave the car a scathing review, branding it a "Don't Buy" following independent handling tests that found the car slid too far out when taking a sharp corner at high speeds. Consumer Reports said the manoeuvre would be similar to what happens when a driver exits a motorway ramp too quickly and said the Lexus GX 460 could roll over. Sales of the sport utility vehicle, which went on sale in the UAE in February, have now been suspended worldwide.

mkwong@thenational.ae