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Lexus planning to enter the supermini sector! Is Mini Cooper in danger?

tryme submitted on 9/10/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 6:24:15 PM

16 user comments | Category: New Cars | Source: | SOURCE: www.4wheelsnews.com

As the supermini sector is gaining its own substantial premium niche, Lexus is mulling entering the segment as its growth can no longer be ignored.

A Lexus marketing specialist said that more premium marques have begun to build cars in this size.

He enumerated the Mini, the Alfa Romeo Mito, and the Audi A1. The Mito has been largely successful outside Italy, particularly in the tough German market. In fact, the Mini is currently under a lot of pressure. Noticeably, carmakers are moving to expand the premium niche by building more variants such as the forthcoming Mini Crossman SUV and Mini Coupe. The Lexus source said that the smallest premium sector is “probably the third or fourth most important segment.”

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Lexus planning to enter the supermini sector! Is Mini Cooper in danger?

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tryme

— tryme (View Profile)


User Comments

synx

cool... thought that was obvious given the new concept car

— synx (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 8:57:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

MSP6

Boringness-on-wheels. No, Mini is not in danger.

— MSP6 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 9:00:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7   

tryme

synx, the new concept aims at Audi A3 and the Bmw 1-Series. The supermini segment includes the Audi A1 and the upcoming Bmw.

— tryme (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 9:24:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Steve

This car reminds me of Honda Civic hatchbacks from around the late 1980s. Not exciting, or statement-making (like the Smart). It appears to be just another small car. The MINI, on the other hand, is iconic (though overpriced for what it is). I perceive no threat from Lexus.

— Steve (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 9:36:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Anthony

They know that. This article is saying that Lexus is "mulling over" building an even smaller car in the Mini's class.

Come on guys, read.

— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 3:13:51 PM | | Votes: 5   

Invisible

Sorry, but that Lexus looks to be twice as large as a MINI.

So NO, MINI need not worry.

— Invisible (View Profile)

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

JUGNU

A3, 1 series, B class, Volvo C30 looks more direct competitors.

btw that looks like new Lexus signature grille. Even HS got it, maybe only for Hybrids. Nice.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 10:17:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

HSCenterconsole

That grill reminds me of vampire fangs.

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 11:57:45 AM | | Votes: -1   

Wimmer

The B-Class doesn't compete with the A3 and 1-Series since it is more of a small people mover than sports-biased vehicle. The Mercedes offering to the 1-Series and A3 is the CLC.

— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 12:26:58 PM | | Votes: 1   

veyron1001

Yes if that is what the production model looks like. No if they make it look like a 90s is250.

— veyron1001 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 1:15:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

Whelan

So Lexus has upgrade the Camry, Avalon, Highlander, 4 Runner, Sequoia, Prius and now they are putting a Toyota Matrix variant out there it seems.

I wonder if they are going to listen to consumers and give it some power to boot. A 2.4L 184hp engine for your performance model is completely mute when it is priced equivalent to a Civic Si, Mazdaspeed 3, Subaru WRX, Cobalt SS, etc. For 23-25k all those could be yours too.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 3:27:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

truthpursuit

Anybody should be worried if Lexus comes after them.

— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 5:09:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

huu76

Maybe the 1/2 car segment is only popular because Europeans can't afford real cars anymore?

Wish Lexus would just say "the cheap market is yours to fight it out with Toyota" and leave it at that.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/11/2009 7:20:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

1UAW

mini to lexues is like apples to oarnges no mini is not in danger two differnt buyers and two differnt cars.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2009 8:20:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

lewishamiltonpimp

MINI doesn't need to worry. I don't think prospective Mini buyers do much cross shopping. They want a Mini for the 'heritage' (yeah...I know) and the Mini 'lifestyle'. It's why people buy iPods and not the Zune.

— lewishamiltonpimp (View Profile)

Posted on 9/12/2009 10:18:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

mini22

I own a Cooper S. I would never consider a Lexus. I would consider the new C30R concept that is coming out. The difference is it's a Euro car,not a Jap car.I know Lexus makes a good product. They just leave me cold,however.

— mini22 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/14/2009 10:38:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

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