Lexus inching closer to producing a superluxury vehicle

[NFS4]

You can't stop Toyota

Lexus is inching closer to the day when it offers a superluxury vehicle.

Executives at Toyota's luxury channel are in deep discussions on a halo model, said Irv Miller, group vice president of corporate communications for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.

"I think you'll see (Lexus) vehicles in that area," Miller said during a meeting last week with Automotive News editors and reporters. "There's a market there for sure. There's a lot of discussion on halo effect on a franchise and a luxury market particularly. There is discussion going on how to go about doing that."

Miller said Lexus is considering everything from a four-door sedan to a super sports car to a hybrid with "plenty of low-end torque and 0-to-60 performance," adding: "That might be something the real enthusiasts embrace."

Yuki Funo, CEO of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., said during a recent interview with Automotive News that a $100,000 car is high on Lexus' wish list.

"For the brand it is quite important," Funo said. "From a marketing and sales perspective, we need a strong product that should be regarded as the flagship or the ultimate Lexus. At a certain point we should have that kind of product. Doing something like a Maybach is too much. But we are thinking in the vicinity of $100,000."

Lexus General Manager Denny Clements has said a $100,000-plus sedan or sports coupe would make a perfect extension for the brand. But Clements acknowledged that Lexus must go into the market with eyes wide open.

"There isn't enough room for everybody," Clements said last month. "The depreciation of those cars is horrendous. You can't really make a business case for it."

 

[Kelvrick]

Toyota can afford it. Besides, the LS is already a damn nice car. A 100,000 LS? Damn...

 

[SZLiao214]

To rich for my blood.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

as long as they don't style it like the ES330 they are gold.

Oh and NO GREY PLASTIC BY THE CENTER CONSOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RaiseUp]

Sweet, can't wait. Maybe we can ditch the 745li even though I Like it.

 

[sniperruff]

they can always make a supercar... toyota/lexus never had a super car...

i say a road car designed based on the GT-ONE race car would be a start...

 

[fs5]

lets start with bringing the supra back, then we can talk :|

 

[Apex]

With how bland the LS has gotten (and take a look at the average buyer age... almost like Buick age), I'd love to see them do a superluxury with some personality and flair. To be fair though, they have made a killing with some pretty boring stuff. Guess when people ultimately vote with their pocketbooks, Lexus knows what they want.

 

[z0mb13]

the interior is gonna be beaaauuutiful!

I lov the interior of lexuses

 

[sillymofo]

OMGWTF:camera:BBQ!!11!!!!!!

 

[SuperTool]

I don't think they'll sell. Lexi are like Seikos people buy them for the value. People aren't gonna pay Breitling prices for a Seiko. It takes charisma to sell at the $100K pricepoint, and Lexus couldn't find charisma if it hit it across the face.

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I don't think they'll sell. Lexi are like Seikos people buy them for the value. People aren't gonna pay Breitling prices for a Seiko. It takes charisma to sell at the $100K pricepoint, and Lexus couldn't find charisma if it hit it across the face.

I highly doubt that, since people are already paying ~$50-60K for a Lexus nowaday.

 

[virtueixi]

Originally posted by: RaiseUp
Sweet, can't wait. Maybe we can ditch the 745li even though I Like it.

What year is yours?

 

[Doggiedog]

I thought the upcoming LS was supposed to be the revitalizing car for Lexus.

I read somewhere that Toyota admitted the LS has gotten boring and that the upcoming LS will be to Lexus what the original LS was to them.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I don't think they'll sell. Lexi are like Seikos people buy them for the value. People aren't gonna pay Breitling prices for a Seiko. It takes charisma to sell at the $100K pricepoint, and Lexus couldn't find charisma if it hit it across the face.

I highly doubt that, since people are already paying ~$50-60K for a Lexus nowaday.

But thats sort of like saying "Well people are already paying 40k for a Passat, so I am sure they'll pay 40 more for a Phaeton." Sort of...

I just think that there are better choices at such a price point.

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I don't think they'll sell. Lexi are like Seikos people buy them for the value. People aren't gonna pay Breitling prices for a Seiko. It takes charisma to sell at the $100K pricepoint, and Lexus couldn't find charisma if it hit it across the face.

I highly doubt that, since people are already paying ~$50-60K for a Lexus nowaday.

But thats sort of like saying "Well people are already paying 40k for a Passat, so I am sure they'll pay 40 more for a Phaeton." Sort of...

I just think that there are better choices at such a price point.

That's all depends on what goes into that car, I do believe Toyota has the technology, and craftsmanship to produce such a vehicle. Subjectively, the badge might not be selling well, but, I bet if they put forth the effort, quality and everything-else-wise, they'll surpass most of the other luxury vehicles at the same price point. Time will tell.

 

[rh71]

<-- prefers sporty/function over luxury...

you'd be too afraid to drive that thing into the city.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I don't think they'll sell. Lexi are like Seikos people buy them for the value. People aren't gonna pay Breitling prices for a Seiko. It takes charisma to sell at the $100K pricepoint, and Lexus couldn't find charisma if it hit it across the face.

I highly doubt that, since people are already paying ~$50-60K for a Lexus nowaday.

But thats sort of like saying "Well people are already paying 40k for a Passat, so I am sure they'll pay 40 more for a Phaeton." Sort of...

I just think that there are better choices at such a price point.

Not even the same thing. People see VW as a common mans' car. VW made the dumb mistake of producing the Phaeton in the first place to take the brand upscale when it already has Audi to take care of that.

Toyota has "Toyota", so they have the commoner part taken care of. Lexus is their luxury marque, so it's easier for them to build a high-buck $100,000 car and get away with it. Face it, most RX330 are selling for $45,000-$50,000 with no incentives. The LS430 STARTS at $55,000 and easily goes to $70,000. The GX470 and LX470 also easily tip in at $50,000+ with options.

$100,000 is not a strech at all for a flagship, especially with $70,000 LS430's running around

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I don't think they'll sell. Lexi are like Seikos people buy them for the value. People aren't gonna pay Breitling prices for a Seiko. It takes charisma to sell at the $100K pricepoint, and Lexus couldn't find charisma if it hit it across the face.

To be fair, that's very similar what everyone said when Toyota decided to produce the Lexus line in the beginning to compete with Mercedes and BMW.

 

[Babbles]

I really do not think they would sell well or grab any signifcant share of the supercar luxury market; however, I think Lexus needs to do this just to 'fit in' with other companies.

I think when people have that much money they kind of go back into the 'badge buyers' mindset; that is to buy the Rolls, or the Maybach, or the Masserati, or whatever. Lexus just does not fit into that category.
Toyota may be able to make a great $100k+ car, but again I just do not think many would go for it. But, if Toyota does not make one then they are kind of missing out. Essentially every car company has their own supercar of some sorts and Toyota needs something, anything, to throw out into the mix.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Babbles
I really do not think they would sell well or grab any signifcant share of the supercar luxury market; however, I think Lexus needs to do this just to 'fit in' with other companies.

I think when people have that much money they kind of go back into the 'badge buyers' mindset; that is to buy the Rolls, or the Maybach, or the Masserati, or whatever. Lexus just does not fit into that category.
Toyota may be able to make a great $100k+ car, but again I just do not think many would go for it. But, if Toyota does not make one then they are kind of missing out. Essentially every car company has their own supercar of some sorts and Toyota needs something, anything, to throw out into the mix.

We're talking $100,000. Not $200,000+ where the Rolls, Bentlys and Maybach's are at.

At $100,000, we're looking at the BMW 760i, Mercedes S500/S600, Audi A8 W12, VW Phaeton W12. Hey, whattya know...it's the same lineup as the LS430's current competition:

BMW 745i, Mercedes S430, Audi A8 (V8 version), VW Phaeton (V8 version)

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I don't think they'll sell. Lexi are like Seikos people buy them for the value. People aren't gonna pay Breitling prices for a Seiko. It takes charisma to sell at the $100K pricepoint, and Lexus couldn't find charisma if it hit it across the face.

To be fair, that's very similar what everyone said when Toyota decided to produce the Lexus line in the beginning to compete with Mercedes and BMW.

And to be fair, Lexus LS430 still sells for less than S430 and 745i. It's still a value buy. It's still A-B transportation. At $100K pricepoint you also need image, pedigree, and prestige that Lexus doesn't quite have.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I don't think they'll sell. Lexi are like Seikos people buy them for the value. People aren't gonna pay Breitling prices for a Seiko. It takes charisma to sell at the $100K pricepoint, and Lexus couldn't find charisma if it hit it across the face.

To be fair, that's very similar what everyone said when Toyota decided to produce the Lexus line in the beginning to compete with Mercedes and BMW.

And to be fair, Lexus LS430 still sells for less than S430 and 745i. It's still a value buy. It's still A-B transportation. At $100K pricepoint you also need image, pedigree, and prestige that Lexus doesn't quite have.

What makes you think that?

The brand has grown in both loyalty and conquest rates over the past three years, according to consumer purchase data tracked by the Power Information Network.

Last year, 44 percent of all Lexus vehicles that were traded were done so to purchase another new Lexus vehicle, the Power data show. That compared with 31 percent in 2002. The figure in the first quarter of 2004 was 48 percent.

What's more, every luxury brand except Saab is seeing a greater percentage of its customers depart to Lexus than they were three years ago, according to Power.

Lexus says it had a conquest rate of nearly 70 percent in the 2003 model year, representing buyers who came to Lexus from another brand. The rate of buyers replacing a Lexus purchased new with another new Lexus was 54 percent in the 2003 model year.

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&amp;cat_code=carnews&amp;loc_code=index&amp;content_code=00064486

http://www.detnews.com/2004/insiders/0401/21/insider-42079.htm

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: SuperTool
I don't think they'll sell. Lexi are like Seikos people buy them for the value. People aren't gonna pay Breitling prices for a Seiko. It takes charisma to sell at the $100K pricepoint, and Lexus couldn't find charisma if it hit it across the face.

To be fair, that's very similar what everyone said when Toyota decided to produce the Lexus line in the beginning to compete with Mercedes and BMW.

And to be fair, Lexus LS430 still sells for less than S430 and 745i. It's still a value buy. It's still A-B transportation. At $100K pricepoint you also need image, pedigree, and prestige that Lexus doesn't quite have.

I would assume their "superluxury" vehicle would compete with the higher end S, and still undercut those models by $20-40k.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Well Toyota/Lexus already have their super-lux cars in the JDM market with a handmade V12 (that as far as I know...will only be sold in those cars to maintain exclusivity).

That said, I think in the $100k+ market (I'm sure the car will sell between 100k-130k) the Lexus will be the Acura of the super-lex segment.

I'm still excited to see what Lexus has to offer though....and I think it will sell well...but mainly to those who want an alternative to the S600s and 760iLs.

Does Lexus have that "Personalization" type service in place similar to BMW's Individual service where the car can be custom tailered to your wants and needs (in terms of colours/fabric/etc...). Those types of personalization services are a big factor for super-lux cars. And Lexus needs something of that nature for their $100k+ vehicles.