When we told you that the Lexus strategy of having two separate cars in the same price range with two totally different customer targets was brilliant, the naysayers came out in droves.
It's not sporty enough, it doesn't handle like a BMW, its design isn't that striking, it's just a re-badged Camry, were just some of the comments we heard in our blogs.
So who is laughing now?
The management team at Lexus.
Because the new ES is FLYING off the shelves.
There is less than a ten day supply at dealers and they are reaching younger buyers with this new model.
The rest of the manufacturers abandoned the 'luxury only' customer base with cars like the G35, TL and others.
But when you walk in a Lexus dealer if you are looking for sporty, you go for the IS-series and if you want luxury you choose the ES350.
We applaud Lexus for seeing an opportunity and capitalizing on it.
Not everyone needs or wants a BMW 3-series or a G35.
Unfortunately for the others, they are just letting these luxury only seeking customers just walk out their doors and over to the local Lexus dealer.
Another coup for the team at Lexus and a new confounding problem for all their competitors...