Shanghai (ZXZC)- Lexus, which has been pursuing “lean production” and “annual growth management rules”, performed exceptionally well in the Chinese market this year with sales of 119,800 units in the first 11 months, exceeding the sum of last year.

At the end of 2017, Lexus China will restructure top management, which is decisive to the future of the company. According to the media, Hitoshi Ohtake will succeed Tetsuya Ezumi in January 1, 2018 as Lexus China’s executive vice president, in overall charge of Lexus in China for the development planning, business progress and other work.

Mr. Ohtake was the former vice minister of sales and marketing department in GAC Toyota. Xu Lun, currently serving as deputy general manager of Toyota Financial, will succeed Lang Lixin as deputy general manager of Lexus China.

Working as vice minister of marketing, Ohtake has his own unique insight and rich management experience for the Chinese market. After Tetsuya Ezumi, he will be responsible for business development, major decision-making project and other key works. Ezumi, who has been working in China for over 10 years, will go back to Japan and be transferred to Toyota Tsusho. Under the leadership of Ezumi this year, Lexus has made groundbreaking improvements again in the market and brand impact.

At present, localization has become a major trend for luxury brands for the access to the Chinese market. Although the main competitors of Lexus have basically completed or are processing the localization, Lexus in China has always demonstrated its own edge by maintaining import sales strategy.

After Lexus sold 100,000 vehicles in 2016 for the first time, the sales are expanding this year. In November this year, Lexus sold 12,896 units, setting a new record high for single-month sales in China. The sales from January to November exceeded the total sales of the previous year. The sales this year are expected to achieve more than 130,000 vehicles.