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Lexus to get self-repairing paint


Speaking just prior to the Tokyo motor show, Lexus Australia boss John Roca says the self-restoring topcoat is extremely resistant to everyday surface scratches and can also heal them.

The paint – which will be on the LS 600hl and also on the LS 460 – contains elements that give it more denseness and elasticity, and results in it rebonding when small scratches are inflicted.

Roca says the paint will not be an optional extra.  “We don’t charge an additional cost for any paint, so I’m assuming this will be standard on the cars,” he says. "The cost will be rolled into the price of the car.  It will be interesting to see what it does to the price of the car, but it’s bound to be less than a respray bill.”

Roca says that while the paint will be available only the LS 600hl and LS 460 for now, he expects it to spread across the range as models are updated.  “When we introduce something like this, it doesn’t take long for it to spread. Maybe about two years,” Roca says.

And he agrees that if it proves popular with Lexus buyers, it won’t be long before other carmakers will be trying to offer something similar.