43 Votes

First The Germans, Now YOU Rank The Premium Asian Car Companies And Give Us YOUR Outlook

Agent001 submitted on 6/9/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:31:13 PM

83 user comments | Category: Report Cards | Source: www.autospies.com

Tag Links: Lexus, Hyundai, Infiniti, Acura

Your rankings for the mainstream German premium car companies are now in, so it's time to rank the Asians.

Same rules as before...

Give us your list with the up, down or steady arrow next to your ranking and tell why you ranked them the way you did.

And tell us if you agree or disagree with us.

Here is ours:

1. Lexus →

2. Hyundai ↑↑

3. Infiniti ↓↓

4. Acura ↓↓↓

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First The Germans, Now YOU Rank The Premium Asian Car Companies And Give Us YOUR Outlook

About the Author

The way a man treats his car is how he treats himself.
— Agent001 (View Profile)

User Comments

By and large, the majority of Asian cars all blend into the background. I mean, what really distinguishes a Kia from a Nissan from a Hyundai from a low-end Toyota? They all have a similar, generic tone about them. Subaru is great for durability (and especially popular among a certain set of short-haired, no make-up women who wear flat shoes). The so-called premium Asian brands all lack originality and look cheap, trendy and sometimes downright cheesy. Not a good design among them. The GT-R is a bold statement; it's cool. Toyota is very good at low-end value. Lexus, Infiniti and Acura all try too hard without achieving anything genuinely desirable. Overall, the Asian makers are good at inexpensive transportation for the masses. Want something truly interesting or premium? Go German.
— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 10:44:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -13

So what is your ranking?

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 10:47:45 PM | | Votes: 5

001... I don't really have a ranking; that pretty much is my point. As the Asian brands all blend together (for me), nothing stands out. However, I do admire Toyota for its ability to produce a very good low-end product. For example, the iQ is way cool. I also respect a company like Subaru for its WRX STI and their incredible durability. But I can't rank them. If I had to, I would prefer a Japanese car over a Korean one.
— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 9:59:38 AM | | Votes: -3

I wonder if the generic look you mention has anything to do with the fact that all the Asian "premium luxury" cars are simply the cheaper middle-class Asian cars with some make-up on...
— sstainba (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 10:13:26 AM | | Votes: -7

I knew that these typical fanboy comments would surface...
— _43LE (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 11:31:53 AM | | Votes: 5

1> LEXUS - least amount of problems per customer. most reliable and a great drive. Good resale value, smart purchase.

2> INFINITI - the G is a solid car that won't break the bank. Inexpensive luxury brand and the new soft top is beautiful. Ever driven an M? Nice car.

3> ACURA - the TL is a fun car to drive. Loads of power and handles extremely well. Resale values have dropped on all Acura models. Still, a reliable car that won't have you sitting in a service department.

4> HYUNDAI - two great new car introduced. Let's hope they hold up. IT'S STILL A HYUNDAI PEOPLE!!!! They aren't reliable, you won't get 600,000kms like you would a Lexus. Don't be swayed by their new introductions, which look great. IT IS STILL A LOUSY HYUNDAI!!!!
— pageman (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 12:31:49 PM | | Votes: 2

1. Infiniti-Aggressive and Sport. (Will continue transforming cars)
2. Lexus-Reliable and for older crowd (Will stay steady, no change)
3. Acura-Decent and kind of confused (They can go up or down)
— PerformanceGuy (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 10:49:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

If I were to buy a premium Asian car, the order

1. Infinity (Gseries)
2. Acura (MDX)
3. Lexus (ISF)
4. Hyundai (Genesis Coupe)
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 10:50:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

We asked how you ranked the BRANDS as a whole, not which car you would buy.

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 10:53:56 PM | | Votes: 5

The rest of their line ups are boring and on par with each other, so my entire decision is based on those cars.
— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 12:20:18 AM | | Votes: -2

Lexus: UP because they are slowly increasing their product line to include more sport oriented cars (ie. F accesories and cars), and therefore a younger crowd

Acura: Steady: good cars, but lack of V8 or a RWD car hurts them, plus ugly styling

Infinity: UP because the young crowd likes their performance bmw like cars

Genesis: Up. Even though i dislike the brand, i cant argue with the fact that they are making better cars and are starting to appeal to people
— LexusKindaGuy12 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 10:55:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I agree with your rankings...

If I were in charge of Honda, I would simply use Acura as an outlet for Euro and JDM Honda vehicles just like they do now with the TSX and expanding to the TSX wagon, Civic R, etc.
— commander104 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 10:56:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Why is Hyundai and premium listed in teh same sentence? The toyota Avalon and Maxima are in the same class as the genesis. Therefore you would have to list them as well.
— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 10:59:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

The Azera's in the same class as the Maxima and Avalon. The Genesis is above those; just priced similarly. Check your facts.
— mggray (View Profile)

Posted on 6/11/2009 10:43:54 PM | | Votes: 1

Hyundai makes one premium car in the US, so they are now a premium brand?

1. Inifiniti - Steady. Great combination of performance, style and luxury. There isn't a whole lot of excitement in the lineup right now (nothing huge coming out), but once a new big sedan hits the market I'm sure Infiniti will cement their place near the top of the luxury car heap.

2. Lexus - Steady/down. The IS-F is great and almost all of their vehicles are pretty fresh, but sales are tanking more than they should be in the US (BMW has now passed them). They still don't offer a good balance of performance AND luxury in one car, and I'm scared for future designs judging by the IS C.

3. Acura - Down. Way down. The new TSX is the best-looking car in the lineup and that isn't saying much at all. I'm sure their cars are incredibly competent but Honda really doesn't know what to do with this brand. I would simply not buy an Acura at this point, unless I got half off. The Legend, Vigor, NSX and Integra are rolling in their graves.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 11:05:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

He has RETURNED!

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 11:31:04 PM | | Votes: 4

Good to have you back S4, you've been missed around here! You're one of the only few "old school Autospies" members that's still around. I know this site can be tough to deal with these days.
— Chip (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 12:51:29 AM | | Votes: 2

S4, dopn't forget the EQUUS is around the corner too... so that makes two to the stable.
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 9:36:40 AM | | Votes: -2

001: Hyundai ahead of Infiniti!!!!!? IMO Infiniti no doubt has a better line up of more successful, better looking cars than hyundai does by a long shot. And while I dont think its weird that you have lexus on top, i personally dont like the way they drive. So if i were to buy Japanese this is the order i would consider buying each make:

1. Infiniti
2. Lexus
3. Acura
4. Hyundai
— schnell330i (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 11:14:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Infiniti has ONE line of cars that actually sells in today's market.

The G-Series.

Everything else is collecting dust on a shelf.

If they don't get one or two more high volume cars, in 2-3 years, they ain't gonna be here no mo.

Same with Acura.

This climate is deadly right now and only the strongest will survive.

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 11:22:45 PM | | Votes: -2

001, the next M will be a big producer. Also the FX sales are decent. I for one am not alla bout volume. I think exclusivity is great if a brand decides to only cater to a small niche.
— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 10:45:32 AM | | Votes: 3

001, got something against Infiniti? Is it cause they compete with your precious BMWs too much?
— nikejk (View Profile)

Posted on 6/11/2009 4:05:04 PM | | Votes: 4

Well all i know is that in my neck of the woods i see a lot of FX's, M's and G's

and ive seen no more than 6 genesis sedans 2 genesis coupes on the road
— schnell330i (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 11:31:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

1. Infiniti (They produce some very fun cars; the G37 coupe and sedan and in my opinion the FX50 is one of the better looking and sounding SUVs on the market)
2. Lexus (Pretty boring line-up, can't imagine myself in anything other than an ISF
3. Acura (Can't actually think of any Acura that I would like to drive)
4. The rest
— Skyboss (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 11:45:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

204,
Yeah, boring, that's why alot of the German cars all look rather Japanese now.

1. Lexus steady. Compete in every segment, not much room to grow.
2. Acura gradual increase . They atleast have a look and attitude all their own and quality is good, price has gradually been creeping up surprisingly. (i.e. MDX has gone from $37K in 2003 to $52K today, TSX/TL have had similiar increases).
3. Infiniti gradual decrease. Not much differentiates them from Nissan except chrome and RWD (designs aren't that drastic either). Most importantly, their best car belongs to Nissan.
4. Hyundai steady (actually shouldn't even be mentioned). Too reliant on incentives, lower prices and other people's designs. Not much will change once they release the Wii flagship sedan and Playstation3 SUV.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 12:36:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

I wonder if the Sega Genesis added that front vertical crease in its grill to mimic the real Bentley's? Goes great with the faux wings.
http://www.bespokeventures.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/asi_bentley_front.jpg
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 12:39:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

1. Hyundai (Way up)
2. Lexus (Same)
3. Infiniti (Same)
4. Acura (Way way way down)

Many of the Japanese designs look retarded these days.

Eg 1. Hyundai Sonata's facelifted interior looks better than the Lexus ES's interior.

Eg 2. Hyundai Genesis looks much much much better than the Acura RL.

Eg 3. Just speechless about the awful new Lexus RX's interior.
— onetime (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 1:35:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -9

huu76: "Yeah, boring, that's why alot of the German cars all look rather Japanese now."

so true!

NO ONE has had headlight treatments as innovative as the japanese, since the buick reviera of the mid-60s.

with theatre arts HUNDREDS of YEARS older than the johnny-come-lately West, asians KNOW how central eyes are to the look of the whole face, whether on people, animals, or vehicles.

while everyone has made cars with odd looking 'greenhouses' at one time or another, the europeans have made some of the ugliest, while asians made the fewest ugly ducks.

arguably Lexus makes the BEST LOOKING SEDANS today. the new ES shows up the UTTER SILLINESS of the "4-door coupes" that is all the rage with krautmobiles lately. rather than try to disguise sedans as coupes, compromising headroom and/or style, lexus makes HONEST sedans that can still manage to look VERY SLEEK, sporty looking, and chic.
— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:22:53 AM | | Votes: -6

So, XYZZ, let's hear it. Name the ugly German cars and the ugly Japanese cars. Should I remind you that design is subjective?

Furthermore, please explain to me why European cars in general are more desirable than any Asian car, especially on the classic car market? That must say a lot about "design".

You're one of those diehard Japanese fanboys. I know this from your silly posts on this site.
— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 12:18:23 PM | | Votes: -3

1.Lexue
then the rest
— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:08:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

1. Infinity - trending slightly up - good line up and focus
2. Lexus - trending slightly down - good line up just nothing really interesting
3. Acura - trending much higher - they have to be at rock bottom with the weirdness they are producing now... nowhere to go but up IMO.
— valhallakey (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:38:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

1. Infiniti - Trending up, IMO they continue to make consistent improvements in quality, NVH, and performance with each subsequent product launch or refresh. They are also due for the most new/refreshed products coming in the next few years. New M, New QX, New full size sedan, possibly new premium coupe. Infiniti has been almost there for quite a while now, but they got some serious cred with the M and the G has been pretty consistent from day 1. A big luxury coupe, a full size sedan that actually sells and getting rid of that last little bit of NVH would put them in top tier status.

2. Lexus - Trending steady, Lexus knows it's place in the market better than any other brand and despite the critics, they know how to deliver what their customers want. Not sure what they have in the pipeline, but the new hybrid will definitely have a following. Lexus also has the most potential to take market share from the Germans, they have by far the most cash and the most customers in this group and that means they can take risks. The LF-A is an example of a risk they might take, although I still believe they are pricing themselves out of the demographic who would buy the car. They are not ready to compete with the exotics YET.

3. Acura - Trending down, I believe they made a mistake in choosing their current design language. Luxury buyers don't tend to like love it or hate it controversial styling. They have and will always produce a quality product, but still no V8 and I believe that to be a requirement to be a key player in this market. Acura seems to be confused about where it's going so I think they are going to trend down until they figure it out.

4. Hyundai - Trending up, they are making real improvements to their products. Quality of materials is not quite there yet, but they are getting better each product cycle. Performance is improving with every release as well. Sales of their new premium luxury sedan will determine whether or not they are gaining mind-share. I think they need a few more wins under their belt before they are taken seriously in this space, I also think they need to bite the bullet and spin-off a luxury division to get away from the Hyundai name. I know it is costly, but perception is everything.
— stone (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 9:53:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Acura - UP Love the new V6 TSX. Incredible value. I'm loving the in your face styling. MDX, fantastic vehicle. RDX, great little performance machine.

Lexus - status quo. Staying the course, but the designs are becoming very generic.

Infiniti - down. They have the basic platforms, but Infiniti is too much into the boy racer crowd and uses too much bling factor.

Hyundia - sorry, don't view as "premium". One big ass copy of the Lexus LS doesn't make the company a premium brand.
— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 10:18:20 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

001, I'd like to ask about your selection bias.

In the recent survey, you formulated the title using words: "Premium German cars".

You didn't use the "Premium European" term, implicitly suggesting that only German cars can be premium and omitting Volvo, Jaguar/Range Rover (both well known in the USA) and Alfa Romeo/Lancia. All of these manufacturers deliver premium cars since ages.

Now apparently, in this survey, "Premium Japanese" cars were replaced by "Premium Asian" ones. Well, Hyundai has started making and exporting significant luxury cars only seconds ago (previous Equus was sold on Far East markets only), yet it was included.

How can it be?
— MrBratwurst (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 11:17:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8

Bratwurst, you're actually refering to the Secret de Polichinelle. But you know, it isn't illegal to support those German brands. Anyone can do what wants on the private site. And to this you must also harm their main competition.
— abcd (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:44:50 PM | | Votes: 2

"dose not make them a premium brand...." Dose? Did you overdose there, iUAW?
— 204E60 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 1:21:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

WHAT??? ARE YOU ON DRUGS???
Tell me honestly. If you had $40k to spend on a car of your choice, you would buy a Hyundai over a Lexus or Infiniti? Wow, go ask you Mom about the day she dropped you on your head.
— pageman (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 12:35:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

Decent Asian Cars but not good
Lexus LS460L
Lexus GX 470
Lexus LX 570

Infiniti M45x
Infiniti M35x
Infiniti G37x Coupe

Subaru WRX STI
Mitsubishi EVO IX the 10 is too porky

Bad Cars
Anything made in South Korea
Anything that involves Mommies driving them.
BMW's, VW's, Land Rover's, Aston Martin's

Good Cars
All Ferrari's accept the insipid looking 612
Lamborghini's All
Maserati Quattroporte S
Maserati Grantourismo S
Porsche GT3 and GT2 models
Porsche Cayman S with a limited slip differential installed
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, nothing beats it off road out of the box.
Mercedes S 63 AMG
Mercedes CL 63 AMG
Mercedes Mclaren SLR
Audi S5

*Bentley Continental line up, if you can afford reliability niggles

— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 1:13:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

I would rather walk than drive a Hyundai. They should just give up, no one loves them.

40 grand can get you a nice used Lexus LS430 that is duck uggly but as reliable as a swiss train schedule.
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 1:17:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6

Acura should just make engines and supply GM with them and give up making the brackets they attach to with the battle shield grill from the 7th circle of hell.

Honda, you find the nicest people in them, but they never are any fun or get laid often. They should just make mopeds and sports bikes and lawn mowers and the Honda Ridgeline is pretty decent to haul hem around in!

Suzuki makes pigs and should just kill themselves.

Seriously Toyota needs to hire these things called Artists, they can do wonders for their function over form styling. Also they should invest in these things called race car drivers and start making cars people like to actually drive more than a Buick.

— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 1:22:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Perfect car!
Pininfarina Styling

Twin Turbocharged Ferrari Enzo Motor
Weisman 6 Speed Gear Box with normal stick shift!

Mid engine with all wheel drive with active front center and rear differentials

Olinns Shocks with remote reservoirs and Eibach springs with double wish bone suspension at all 4 corners.

Brembo Ceramic Brakes with 6 piston calipers.

Carbon fiber 3 seater Tub from McLaren F1

A particle Beam Weapon to destroy Dear that run out in front of it!
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 1:31:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

soo... because Hyundai is now being compared and is being viewed better than Acura and Infiniti, the world erupts?

What is everyones problem on this website, seriously? Hyundai is an ENTRY LEVEL LUXO BRAND. Theyre morphing themselves as we speak. Those who dont like it can go screw off on theyre lexi's. They're here to stay and alot of people love the new image of Hyundai. Good, strong, reliable car.

Theyre designs are getting better with each new car that they introduce. You guys have to stop being so freakin closed minded and look at the big picture here. Now we have more to choose from. Dont be angry that Hyundai is stealing poor little lexus's sales or acuras sales. This just proves that everyone needs to step theyre game up cuz Hyundai has, alot.
— blaniac22 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 1:35:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Is this "hyundai smokes" other name?
— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 2:02:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

refering to blaniac22
— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 2:02:58 PM | | Votes: 3

no. I dont even know him. I do agree with him to an extent on some things but i just hate how people procieve Hyundai with that same stupid image.

Theyve changed. I know, i drive a Hyundai, my mom drives a Hyundai, my brother drives the new genesis. Theyre amazing cars. Solid, and very nice quality.

Plus im gonna be designing cars for Hyundai wen i get out of college. I so i gotta stand up for my place of future employment. ;)
— blaniac22 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 2:23:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

WOW so you actually want a Hyundai? I mean Seriously?
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:27:46 PM | | Votes: 5

Hyundai has the brand equity of a Renault!

Tell a girl you drive a Hyundai, after she gets done laughing at you she will assume you have no discretionary income to take her out and walk away!

Americans that drive Hyundai's are looking for "value," or in other words Cheep!
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:32:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Renault? Renault was founded by engineers whose main purpose was to do good cars, not by a shipyard like Hyundai Motor whose main purpose wasn't to give peoples superior product but to give them crap and take the money.
— abcd (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 4:08:35 PM | | Votes: 2

Or they're just smarter than you are.
— mggray (View Profile)

Posted on 6/11/2009 10:52:57 PM | | Votes: 2

Some people here have to be out of their minds if they would rank Infiniti or Acura ahead of the Lexus brand. Not even in the same ballpark in terms of variety or quality of vehicles.
Lexus
Infiniti
Acura
Subaru
Hyundai
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:35:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

You are right david999 you are up against a Goliath group of people who do not know, or have paid repair bills recently because they can not afford them.
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:38:38 PM | | Votes: 3

Hyundai has no passion, they are cookie cutter mass produced cars! Even their Genisis Coup can't beat a 370Z, a Mustang,2009 WRX, a Camaro or anything other than a another passionless cookie cutter transpiration appliance!

My Italian Blood is boiling!

— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:36:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Have you ever seen a Hyundai sell at the Barret Jackson Auction!!!!! Or any other Japanese car for that matter!

Well there you have it!
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:40:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

I know Hyundai is Korean! Imagine a Hyundai Genesis going on the auction blocks after a Ferrari 250 GTO or a Shelby Daytona Coupe, that would be like a Monkey flying an airplane on the auction blocks!

Or better yet look at a Hyundai at Pebble beach Concourse de elegance! The rent a cars are nicer!
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:42:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

They should make the driving test in all states mandatory with a stick shift. Who Agrees with me?

That will weed out the fluff and more people will learn higher end driving skills.

The bar is too low and too many people are buying automatics and too many people make status quo cars, and too many people don't see a car as the most important purchase of their lives. Too many aren't the passionista!

The car is not transportation, it is an expression of yourself, The CAR is your life your freedom your way of going to work and feeding your family. It is everything!

How can we let this happen! Brothers let us band together, unite and only buy proper manuel gearboxes hens forth!
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 3:54:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Ongoing, would you consolidate your posts into 1 post? Thanks!

-The autospies community
— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 9:53:49 PM | | Votes: 2

Lexus: once they get global, serperated from toyota, there stayin on tier 1 status, the only Asian company to ever get rich off the Germans, and beat them @ there own game...FACT btw the other asian company may have better cars, but there not catching lexus, maybe in 20yrs or so...FACT

Infiniti: same as above, global and serperation, BMW n Porsche still not going to like u, LMAO they coming

Acura: like GM, start over, the name only gets them by

Subaru: does what they do best AWD

Hyundai: i see them moving up, size of an S-klass'e price as an C...FACT good start
— Denali (View Profile)

Posted on 6/10/2009 9:32:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

1. Infiniti - going up up up, the new styling is fresh, Renault is pushing the brand all over to Europe with greater success than Lexus ever was. The product is excellent, pricing is just about right, now please add Lexus customer service.

2. Genesis - adventurous with lots of opportunities. RWD V8 for 40 grand ? If you love the used LS430 option so be it, the W140 copycat design language never really appealed to me. However; if they are truly serious about this brand, Hyundai should learn from Lexus and not sell the Genesis next to $11,000 Accents.

3. Lexus - slowly falling back. All those soccer moms driving Rx's are doing a great disservice for the brand. My wife would never want to be seen in one exactly because of this image - still loves her RR Sport anyhow. The LS600hL is a flop, the hL sells to ??, the IS-F is a car nobody knows about outside of the brand enthusiast circle. Still, they have the most promise to return to their king status as the system is still up and running.

4. Acura - sometimes I wonder why Honda wants to kill this brand. With legendary models as the NSX and the original two generation of Legends, & the Integra I don't get them. In the early 90's, they were my absolute favorite of the three newcomers. They were all about racing, fun-to-drive, high tech automobiles. I really feel sorry about what happened to this once promising upstart.

— JWalkerLegrande (View Profile)

Posted on 6/11/2009 9:20:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

1. Lexus
2. Acura
3. Infinity

Hyundai isn't even on the radar as a "premium" brand.
— thstone (View Profile)

Posted on 6/11/2009 2:00:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

1. Infiniti
2. Lexus
3. Acura
And if Hyundai were to make it on the list it has to hold its resale value 3 yrs from now to be considered premium brand. Which I dont think that will happen because it is what it is.
— shiftless (View Profile)

Posted on 6/11/2009 9:30:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Brand power = no incentives needed and the balls to hold the course if today's stats look bad.

Toyota was the last in with incentives and Lexus doesn't have any real ones to speak of while everybody else has exhausted their incentive options.

After this recession, there will be so many of the has been brands that Lexus will be elevated above them simply because while everybody else raises their prices to their original levels, Lexus will follow suit but their new price will be above the original level.

Lexus entry to mid level cars are already priced the same as the Germans but without incentives. Eventually the LS will be priced on equal footing with the S because Lexus doesn't have the B-class and STUPID diluting its brand (everybody knows SMART is just a super-econo Benz).
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/11/2009 11:19:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Mustapha,
Oh, sorry, I forgot, Lexus doesn't have any Sports-Activity-Vehicles or Sports-Activity-Coupes so I guess they really don't compete in every segement. LOL, what a joke.

Willis,
Yuppies and FOBs have no self-esteem, hence their desire for "enhancements" that only a German brand can give them (apparently). People with money and confidence (i.e. me) get by just fine with a normal car like the Camry-hybrid or legendary Jeep. No bling factor but I can easily afford to buy my cars.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/11/2009 11:25:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Hyundaismoke,
Canada already has the B-class and nobody thinks a B-class owner is loaded (perhaps desperate). Might be good for short term profits (if you can find enough people with no money who are willing to pay 3x what a vehicle is actually worth). In the longterm, its just going to waterdown their image.

You don't see Rolls Royce coming out with a Yaris fighter do you? Lexus would be wise to stay out of the sub $30,000 market and let Toyota take care of that. Infact, Toyota has some products that are priced against MB and BMW such as the Highlander Hybrid which tops out at $55,000CDN.

Subaru successfully differntiated itself by offering options and an image that no one else, to this day, has repeated. Of course they can charge a little more because they have products that are unique to the market, not just a clone of existing products.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/13/2009 1:51:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Canadians are more frugal, that's why we're not screwed up like our American cousins. Just mentioniong that the Germans are targeting posers, hence all the cheap B-class, A3 and 1 series wannabe cars that they're releasing over here.

Hyundai has low running development costs because they just buy a Japaneese car, rip it apart then rebadge it as their own. China can do the same thing but charge much less. Will the Korean gov't be willing to get into a financial war of attrition with China? I doubt it so Hyundai won't be able to drop their prices even with gov't subsidies.

If you really think the original Lexus LS is just a clone, you should go do some research. Design wise the only Lexus that resembled the Germans was the LS up until now. The ES/SC/GS all looked like their Toyota counterparts of the time which looked nothing like the Germans.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/14/2009 10:46:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Speaking of being material, why do you keep on putting Hyundai in the same class as the luxury makers simply because the Genesis offers the same options as they do? By the way you chirp about the Genesis' interior, to me its clear you've never sat in one.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/14/2009 11:02:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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