Who needs luxury SUVs? 2024 Lexus LM luxury people-mover likely for Australian launch, but could it open the door for the Kia Carnival-rivalling Toyota Alphard?

A new luxury van unfamiliar to most Australians could make its way to our shores in the near future thanks to Toyota’s upmarket brand.

The new 2024 Lexus LM people-mover has been teased internationally, with the model seemingly a surprise to some who were unaware Lexus had a van in its stable.

The model, based on the upmarket Toyota Alphard, launched in China in 2020 and is a five-metre-long ‘first-class on wheels’ offering, which allows customers to opt for a spacious four-seat layout called the ‘Emperor Suite’.

The LM currently available in China is powered by either a 2.5-litre hybrid four-cylinder engine, or a 3.5-litre V6 (in Hong Kong), and fills the role that cars like a BMW 7 Series or Mercedes GLS might in countries like Australia or the US as luxury transport for politicians and VIPs.

It’s not yet clear if the new LM will be a heavily updated version of the existing generation, or an entirely new one, but this will mark the first time the LM will be sold outside of China.

While Lexus Australia declined to comment on the teaser further than what had already been released, it shared with Australian media the international press release, suggesting the LM is on the radar for an Australian launch.

The new 2024 Lexus LM people-mover has been teased internationally.

“Lexus will stage the world premiere of the all-new LM, its latest L-series flagship, at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition on Tuesday 18 April,” the statement says.

“In advance of the unveiling of this stunning new vehicle for connoisseurs of true luxury, Lexus has released a teaser image showing some of the unique design elements.”

Despite the lack of detail, it’s extremely rare for the Australian arm of any car brand to issue a press release related to a model that won’t launch here. Reports of the LM being set to sell in Europe further indicate that an Australian offering is likely.

If Lexus Australia launches the LM here, it also opens the door for Toyota to sell the Alphard or Vellfire versions, which are mostly seen as a grey imports.