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Lexus' future lineup, no sub-$30,000 model
Lexus is confident its cars will be perceived as luxury no matter how many units it sells as long as pricing remains above $30,000. The comments come as Lexus prepares to expand its lineup with even more models and battles internal concerns that too much volume may harm its luxury status.

To maintain the $30,000 and above price-point, Lexus will develop models based on its current lineup and introduce new high-end cars rather than launch new entry-level cars. Read Article



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Will_Will_ - 8/21/2007 9:19:01 AM
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In this regard, Lexus will never have a line-up that fully competes with their European competition. No 1-Series, A2, A3, A, B competitors. In Lexus's case, I think this is the wisest decision, seeing as just a few years ago, many of their products shared badges with Toyota, a brand full of sub-$30K cars. In a period where establishing brand cache i #1 on the priority list, this is a smart play.

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david999david999 - 8/21/2007 10:07:49 AM
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As mentioned in a previous thread, Lexus does not want to compete in the 1-series range, not because those are terrible cars, but it is not where Lexus
wants to be image wise. There is a reason BMW and Mercedes does not offer their "cheaper" versions in North America. They know it will hurt their prestige image,
even though it works in Europe. Then again, they have to compete with VW and Fiat to name a few.


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BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 8/21/2007 10:41:34 AMView My AgentSpace
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Lexus already does. The IS250 will compete more directly with the 1-series than it does with the 3-series. The BMW 3-series is alot larger car than the Lexus IS, internally. The IS has about the same passenger space and such as the 1-series will have. Dont fool yourself into believing they hype. What are you expecting the price of an IS250 coupe to be at?

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david999david999 - 8/21/2007 11:28:25 AM
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A 3-series does not feel larger than an IS. They both have smaller interiors, but then again they are basically sportier cars. The front passengers in an IS will feel more comfortable then in a 3. The rear is close, but the BMW has a little more room.

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BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 8/21/2007 1:08:01 PMView My AgentSpace
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Have you not sat in the IS? A 3-series feels alot larger than the IS. The IS feels like the Acura TSX in regards to size ...




S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 8/21/2007 11:41:35 AMView My AgentSpace
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WARNING: This is NOT a bash at Lexus.

However, I think this decision is more of a sign of weakness rather than strength. Think about it. Lexus, as a brand, isn't as recognized as BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz worlwide. They can't afford to put out less-expensive cars, because it would truly hurt their image. However, with the three German brands, the small cars barely make an impact on brand perception because they're already so established.

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1970toyotamarc1970toyotamarc - 8/21/2007 12:25:08 PM
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The key to your point, I believe, is "because they're already so established." If you are right, then Lexus is making the correct decision. Lexus is building up its brand. As Euro fans love to point out, they are still a young company. If (When) Lexus gets a larger foothold in Europe, you may see them come in with a new entry level car to then take on that segment. You may see it as a sign of weakness that they are not in that segment now, but was it weakness that stopped Audi from having a SUV until 2007? Is it weakness that is keeping BMW from having a supercar? The brands compete where they will be successful.


Will_Will_ - 8/21/2007 12:03:20 PM
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We all know that if Lexus came out with a sub-$30K economy car, they'd be slammed and numerous comments would be made about a Corolla being a better value, even moreso than all the ignorant comments on the matter already.

Why would Lexus, which was created and is run by a company that mass-produces sub-$30K economy cars, come out with their own sub-$30K economy car? Toyota/Lexus isn't dumb like VAG.

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RsportRsport - 8/21/2007 12:35:10 PM
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Notwithstanding his baseless attack on VAG; Will is right. Toyota/Lexus will not compete with itself. Audi targets a somewhat younger demographic than Lexus and the A3 (which is what I assume you are referring to) is to introduce an even younger segment to the brand in the hope that brand loyalty is increased.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/21/2007 12:56:54 PM
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lexus already overlaps with its toyota siblings in pricing.

of course they won't go further down and cannibalize their own sales.

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bevisroybevisroy - 8/23/2007 10:07:20 PM
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Lexus ALWAYS understates their 0 - 60 times by at least .5 seconds. Here are the results of the 5 Top Luxury Cars in this test which was reported in the January Issue of Car and Driver. Please note these tests were all done on the same day at about the same time and at the same altitude. The results reflect the average of 3 runs and all cars are the 2007 vintage.

Mercedes S550 5.6, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.1 (Benz show 5.4 in their specs)
BMW 750iL 5.7, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.2
Jag XJ Super 6.0 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.5
Lexus LS460L 6.2 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.6
Audi A8 6.8 0 - 60 quarter mile 15.2

Note that Lexus, as usual, is more than the 5.4 the manufacturer CLAIMS to get by .8 seconds.

Also note the LS430 (prior model the LS460 replaced) was rated at 295 HP and was actually 278 when Lexus corrected their rating. And there were no refunds or apologies from the so-called "quality" car company. ABC - Always Be Careful what you buy from the (REPREHENSIBLE) Toyota/Lexus people.....


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HyundaiHyundai - 8/23/2007 11:07:30 PM
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Holy crap, buddy. You have NO life! You have been posting this crock of shit non stop for the past few months.

"Lexus ALWAYS understates their 0 - 60 times by at least .5 seconds."

Lexus' claimed time (done by a 3rd party - Wards) is 5.3 seconds for the IS 350. The IS 350 (since you are quoting Car and Driver, I might as well do the same) posted a 0-60mph time of 5.1 seconds. With Road and Track, the IS 350 posted a time of 4.9 seconds.

Here are my references (don't read them if you don't want to be proven wrong):

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/10390/2006-lexus-is350.html
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/02073car.pdf

If you are going to be demanding *REFUNDS* for Lexus cars or something like a class-action lawsuit (laughs!), you should at least make a good case. Is this what you do for a living? Because if so, you SUCK at it.

Do you ALWAYS speak in definitives regarding things that are NOT definitive?

Oh, and speaking of Car and Driver and using that as a reference for demanding "refunds or apologies from the so-called 'quality' car company", why don't you perform the same public service message for BMW? The BMW couldn't finish the comparison! It overheated and almost killed the driver in a 360-degree spin!

"Then the ABS lamp lit. We tried to execute one stop on our high-desert test road and nearly executed a 360 spin at 70 mph instead (thus, our braking number is from a previous test). Shortly thereafter several airbag-malfunction warnings lit up. Maybe it was just a coincidence.

Even with its dash ablaze in emergency alerts, the 330i wormed its way into our hearts."

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/10391/2006-bmw-330i.html

I am dying to hear your response because it sounds like you know what you are talking about.
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