When did Lexus stop making the SC 430?
The Lexus SC 430 stopped production after the 2010 model year, with final cars built in 2010 and no 2011 SC 430 offered.
The SC 430 was Lexus’s two-seat luxury convertible produced from 2002 through 2010. Known for its retractable hardtop and V8 power, it represented a distinct, though limited, chapter in Lexus’ lineup. This article outlines its production span, key milestones, and the reasons behind its discontinuation.
Production timeline
Below is a concise timeline of the SC 430’s production run to illustrate how long the model remained in market and when it ended.
- 2002: Lexus introduces the SC 430 for the model year 2002, replacing the SC 400 as a two-seat grand tourer with a power-operated retractable hardtop.
- 2003–2010: The SC 430 remains in continuous production across these model years, maintaining its niche appeal in Lexus’s lineup.
- 2010: Final model year; production ends in 2010, with no 2011 SC 430 produced or marketed.
These milestones show the SC 430’s decade-long presence and its culmination in 2010, after which Lexus redirected resources toward other platforms and body styles.
End of the line and legacy
With production ceased, Lexus shifted focus toward newer architectures, hybrids, and SUVs/crossovers. The SC 430 is remembered for blending open-top luxury with the convenience of a retractable hardtop, but its niche status and aging underpinnings limited its ongoing viability. While there isn’t a direct, one-for-one replacement, the brand’s later grand-tourer efforts, including the LC series, aim to capture similar sensibilities in a modern package.
Summary
In short, Lexus ended SC 430 production after the 2010 model year; there was no 2011 SC 430, and the model was not directly replaced. Today, the SC 430 stands as a notable, early-2000s collector-era convertible from Lexus.
