Toyota will take over distribution of its Lexus luxury brand in Spain and plans to sell 4,500 units this year, up 12% from 2006, after ending its ties with distributor Berge, a spokeswoman for Toyota Motor Espana told just-auto on Thursday.

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Toyota will take full ownership of the brand and is negotiating hiring the majority of the 25 workers employed by Berge.


“Berge has handled our distribution since 2002 but the contract ends on 30 September and will not be renewed,” the spokeswoman said.


Berge had done a “fantastic job” and Toyota’s move was “strategic” and not because of poor Lexus sales, she added.


Berge will continue to distribute roughly 30% of Lexus in the market, however. This is because it owns 10 of 28 independent Lexus dealerships.

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Madrid-based Berge enjoys an ‘Asian monopoly’ in Spain. It distributes brands such as Korea’s Ssangyong, India’s Tata and China’s Chery.


Lexus plans to gradually increase sales to 5,000 units in 2009.


Toyota’s spokeswoman could not provide 2005 sales figures but Lexus does not have much of a share of Spain’s luxury car segment, largely dominated by European marques such as BMW and Mercedes.


Separately, Renault said today it sold 47,000 units of its Megane model in the first half, further cementing the dominance over Spain’s car market it has enjoyed for four years.


Renault said new, sportier Megane versions such as the F1 limited and new diesel engine versions and other variants helped boost sales. The French firm would not provide year-ago comparison figures but said sales were “in line” with targets.


Ivan Castano