12 Votes

Lexus flagship expected to sell better in Japan/Europe than US

dannyboy2 submitted on 5/28/2007 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 9:39:39 AM

19 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.motorauthority.com

Tag Links: Lexus, Hybrid

Despite the US easily rating as the number one market for Lexus vehicles, and most other luxury makes for that matter, Toyota’s premium label is expecting to sell more of its LS600h and the long-wheelbase flagship saloons in Japan than it does in the States, with Europe close behind in second place.

The new hybrid limo is the most expensive Lexus ever sold, but execs are still expecting to move roughly 300 cars per month in Japan over the cars five-year life cycle or about 3,600 units per year. For Europe, officials are looking at roughly 180 cars per month, or about 2,160 a year. US dealers are only expected to shift around 1,200 to 2,000 cars per year when it goes on sale in North America around late July or early August.

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— dannyboy2 (View Profile)

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Maybe Japan but in EU they might have a problem!
— kpaxx (View Profile)

Posted on 5/28/2007 1:44:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

straight up!!!
who is gonna buy the lexus over the german cars
— printhan (View Profile)

Posted on 5/28/2007 3:52:19 PM | | Votes: 6

i agree lexus will face difficulties in the eur market. that is fact already.
— LexusLunatic (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 3:14:36 AM | | Votes: 4

Sort of misleading, sort of. Count the LS460 in the total and the US probably is still the biggest market.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/28/2007 4:41:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Lexus cannot match the Germans in the EU in sales... probably ever ... But i do think they have alot of potential for growth .

Anyway thats my cents..
— izfuney (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 5:23:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Lexus, as much as i hate to admit this, are good cars. However, they will do well in Japan, I've no doubt. But in the EU, they lack design and performance Europeans look for, so they won't be doing well over here, and don't currently do well.

No matter what hybrids they bring out...
— EliteRanger (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 5:24:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Also, Toyota man.

"WTF are you talking about? Lexus can easily rule the European market if they wanted too. They're much cheaper than any German car and they have prestige too. Lexus is gonna murder the Germans."

Cheap and prestige don't go together buddy, think about it.
— EliteRanger (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 5:26:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Because an S-Class is cheaper than a Continental, your argument is lost.
— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 6:55:54 PM | | Votes: 1

The german auto makers must have their people brain washed,I have driven an S-class and a LS460,but I still don't see what makes the S-class better than the LS460,the LS has more technology than the S-class standarn,and if you say the brand name than that is the dumbest reason to buy a Mercedes!!!

Everyone has their choice of driving what they drive and reason,but I don't think they should bash a brand just because they think their brand is better..
— 2JZSoarer (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 10:16:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Mistype:

The german auto makers must have their people brain washed,I have driven an S-class and a LS460,but I still don't see what makes the S-class better than the LS460,the LS has more technology than the S-class "standard",and if you say the brand name than that is the dumbest reason to buy a Mercedes!!!
— 2JZSoarer (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 10:17:57 PM | | Votes: -1

i think the lexus ls is cheaper with the option than the standard s-class. but i think that is the difference for lexus buyer and the reste. lexus buyers want to pay but for similar option. mercedes buyer does not car and have the money to own a brand that has been the leader in luxury for so many years and the 3 point star is for sure a symbol of success. lexus is just good brand that executes well but the extra limb to own a mercedes they either do not have the money or refuse to pay extra.

for lexus target buyer money pinching may be a thing of value. mercedes s class buyer can afford it the extra option cost and does not mind it.i think in term of overall luxury feel the s class is a beautiful car. but i think in seeing the traditional japanese car not being able to be a good luxury car the Ls has proven them wrong. it has major upgrade since the last one.

but i also think your view point on a mercedes is already biase before you sat in the s-class because you like toyota and lexus so much so before you want to notice anything nice you already pick out the bad things about it. that's how i was before when i sat in mercedes but i realize i was viewing it wrong all along.

i went to the mall this week and saw a s600 with amg package. the car look stunning and i have to say it look more classy than the ls460. it stand out more too. sorry my lexus fans i am not biase toward lexus. i can not be because the car world is diluted with beautiful cars. many that is not badged a toyota/lexus. lexus is still my primary brand because it is more affordable than the germany car. if i am a fan also because of its great pricing compare to other then i think a lot is buying in to pursuit of perfection because of the same reason too.
— LexusLunatic (View Profile)

Posted on 5/30/2007 6:34:44 PM | | Votes: 1

Lol, Will...you'd like it to be that easy, laying down the law like that so confidently. Well, here's how it actually is: no matter what model, what price, the Mercedes, or infact any German brand in the big 3 will have prestige. However, i am of course looking at Europe, where Lexus are infact still seen as overpriced Toyotas, and you know why...Because they are.

And the fact you use the Continental to make a bad comparison interests me, a car that has only been around the past year or so, in comparison to the S Class, which has been around for a fair few generations. Hmmm.
— EliteRanger (View Profile)

Posted on 5/30/2007 2:01:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Oh okay, you were ONLY looking at pretentious EUROPE to enforce an already known and accepted fact, along with your added dickhead comment about Lexuses being Toyotas.

And I'm not sure what planet you're on, but here, Bentley trumps Mercedes on all continents. My comparison was totally relevant. Sorry if my being correct bothered you so much, as evidenced by your response, and notion that the new-generation S-Class is older than the Flying Spur.

By the way, Audi totally lacks prestige here in North America...
— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 5/31/2007 12:30:48 AM | | Votes: 1

And prententious Europe? Please explain...and dickhead comment lol? Who makes them buddy, last time i checked it was Toyota, which makes them? What? Any idiot should know...even you, Will. And i realise that Bentleys are seen as more prestigious, however, i originally said that cheap and prestige don't go together - see Lexus. You then said, well, the S Class in that case is in the same situation as the Continental is more expensive that than. Bear in mind, here in the U.K...the S starts at around £55,000, not cheap i don't think?

Also, Audi may lack prestige there, just as Lexus totally lacks prestige here. Funny old world.
— EliteRanger (View Profile)

Posted on 5/31/2007 5:43:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Reverting back to your original statement, I challenge you to look up the Euro prices of the Lexus LS models in Europe. "Cheap" and prestige do not go together, but nobody said Lexus was "cheap." Less expensive than your competition is one thing, but that does not make you "cheap." What's so hard to grasp about this? Is Aston Martin less prestigious than Ferrari because a DB9 is $180K and a 599 is way more than that?

Also as it turns out, contrary to my OWN beliefs for years, BMW, Mercedes, and Audi all often have lower lease prices (which drive the German's North American sales) than Lexus here in North America, and still, Lexus outsells all three brands. Go figure.

At any price point past the entry-level segment, nothing is "cheap." And yes, TOYOTA the LARGEST, MOST SUCCESSFUL automaker ever, makes Lexus. Get over it.
— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 5/31/2007 10:10:18 PM | | Votes: 1

Hmm, like the caps. They really emphasise your passion, but makes you look like a retard. You do however make fair points, however, it's not that i have to get over the fact Toyota make Lexus, it's that people claim them to be something special when they just aren't.

— EliteRanger (View Profile)

Posted on 6/1/2007 5:54:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

OH, SO YOU HATE ALL CAPITALIZATION? GOOD TO KNOW FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
— Will_ (View Profile)

Posted on 6/2/2007 12:07:01 AM | | Votes: 1

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Lexus flagship expected to sell better in Japan/Europe than US

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